39 years ago: 'Baby Jessica' falls down 8-inch well for two days in 1987
HOUSTON, Texas -- It has been 39 years since the world watched the rescue of 18-month-old Jessica McClure in Midland, Texas, on October 14th.
Little Jessica fell 22 feet below in an 8-inch well in her aunt's backyard. It was a tall task for rescuers to try to communicate with her, as she was alone and frightened.
Rescuers brought in heavy drilling equipment and carefully dug another shaft parallel to the pipe where Jessica was stuck.
VIDEO: ABC13's live coverage of the rescue of Baby Jessica
It took two days and nearly 10 hours to try and rescue the child, who was eventually pulled out on the night of Oct. 16. Jessica suffered a minor head cut and later had to have her toe removed due to infection.
McClure said she has no recollection of the event. Now, at 40, she has children of her own.
Back in April 2026, McClure, now McClure Morales, was arrested for an alleged family violence incident in Midland County. There are no other details of her arrest.
VIDEO: Melanie Lawson interviews two of the rescuers
