Some stories remain etched into a nation’s memory forever — and Jessica McClure’s is one of them. In October 1987, when she was just 18 months old, Jessica disappeared while playing with other children in her aunt’s backyard in Midland, Texas. Within minutes, her family realized the unimaginable had happened: she had slipped 22 feet down an old well they believed was sealed.
Her mother, Cissy, recalled the terror vividly. “I didn’t know what to do. I called the police. They were there in minutes, but it felt like forever,” she told PEOPLE.
Word spread quickly. News stations across the country converged on Midland as a massive, nonstop rescue operation began. Emergency crews, drilling experts, and volunteers worked around the clock, determined to reach the toddler trapped deep underground.
The first officer on the scene, Bobbie Jo Hall, remembered calling out into the darkness, hearing nothing at first — and then finally, a small cry that let them know she was alive.
Detective Andy Glasscock never forgot the sounds either. “Most of the time she was crying or making little noises,” he said. “When we weren’t giving encouragement, we’d ask her to sing. She’d sing ‘Winnie-the-Pooh.’ I’ll never forget it.”
After nearly 60 grueling hours, rescuers broke through. The moment they pulled Jessica from the well was broadcast live to millions across the United States. It became one of the most unforgettable rescue moments in American history.
Life After the Rescue
More than 38 years have passed, yet those two harrowing days are still a part of Jessica’s story. “Most people are kind about it,” she said in a 2017 interview. “They think it’s a miracle — and it truly is.”
Today, Jessica lives a quiet life in rural Texas with her husband, Danny, whom she married in 2006. In a twist of coincidence, Danny actually remembers the day she was rescued — he was 13 when the news broke, announced in the middle of a football game.
The couple shares two children, Simon and Sheyenne, who have since made Jessica a grandmother. Even now, many people still recognize her as “Baby Jessica,” a nickname she says continues to follow her in surprising ways.
When her daughter was in elementary school, one teacher even showed a video about the rescue to the class — much to her daughter’s surprise.
Finding Strength and Moving Forward
Following the rescue, kindhearted people from around the world contributed to a trust fund for Jessica. Though much of it was lost during the 2008 economic downturn, it still helped provide her with a home and stability.
Jessica later learned about the rescue by watching an episode of Rescue 911 at age four, not realizing the episode was about her until her stepmother explained. “It was overwhelming,” she recalled.
Despite undergoing multiple surgeries as a child, Jessica has lived a full and resilient life. Today, she enjoys a quiet career and time with her growing family — far from the media spotlight that once defined her early years.
Her journey remains a powerful reminder of community, compassion, and the incredible strength of the human spirit.
What an extraordinary story of resilience and hope.
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