A 9-year-old Shreveport girl remains in critical condition after she was pulled from the bottom of the swimming pool at East Ridge Country Club. Shelby Patrick is still listed in the pediatric intensive care unit at Willis-Knighton South. But family members say her condition is improving.

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"The swelling and fluid around her brain is gone...," said Lalita Rogers, Shelby's aunt.  Shelby's family and Shreveport Fire Chief Ronald Mulford held a news conference yesterday to talk about what happened to Shelby and announce the opening of a  fund, where folks, who want to help, can make donations to help offset Shelby's medical bills. The fund has been set up at Progressive Bank.

Rogers was the spokeswoman for Shelby's parents, Tameka and Bryan Patrick.

"As the media has reported, my niece, 9-year-old Shelby Patrick, attended a birthday party at East Ridge Country Club on Saturday, June 2. Caddo Fire District No. 5 and Shreveport Fire Department responded on Saturday, after Shelby was found unresponsive at the bottom of the pool. Shelby's friend told her Dad, who then jumped in and pulled her to safety."

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Shreveport Fire Chief Ronald Mulford said that critical response time was what made the difference in saving Shelby's life. He says within two minutes of being called, Shreveport Fire and Caddo Fire District No. Five paramedics were on the scene. It's unknown how long Shelby was underwater.

He also said an off-duty nurse at the pool performed CPR within moments of Shelby being pulled from the pool.

"We'd like to thank Shelby's heroes, big and small, who were at the party: Willis Knighton Pierremont, Willis Knighton South,  Dr. Doe and the Nursing Staff, Shreveport Fire Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Department, EMS, South Highland School, all of the family and friends, who not only prayed for Shelby, but also for the entire family," Rogers said.

The Shelby E. Patrick Donation Account (number 4055616) is open at Progressive Bank to handle donations for Shelby's medical expenses.

Shelby remains on a ventilator, but the family is not giving up hope that she will recover.

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Here's the entire news conference:



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