CLINTON, La. (AP) — An East Feliciana Parish work-release inmate drowned in a pond near Clinton where an annual fishing outing was being set up for children who are patients of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Parish Jail Warden Ray Newman tells The Advocate Darion Carter of West Monroe was among about 15 inmates who volunteered to help set up Saturday's event on Friday.

Newman said Carter and another inmate were using a paddle boat to mark areas of the pond for fishing and paddle-boating. After they finished placing flags and a rope across the pond, he said the two decided to jump into the water and cool off.

He said Carter may have gotten tangled up in the thick weeds in the pond.

Carter was scheduled to be released in July.

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