In 1987, a story from Midland, Texas captured the attention of millions across the United States. An 18-month-old girl, Jessica McClure, disappeared while playing in her aunt’s backyard. What followed was a rescue operation that would become one of the most widely reported events of the decade. Nearly four decades later, Jessica—now an adult with a family of her own—reflects on the experience that shaped her life before she was even old enough to understand it.

A Routine Morning Turns Into a Crisis

On October 14, 1987, Jessica was outside with four other young children while her mother, Cissy, watched from nearby. The family believed the old well in the yard had been sealed. But when Jessica suddenly vanished from sight, frantic searching revealed she had fallen roughly 22 feet into the narrow shaft.

Her mother immediately called for help.

“I didn’t know what to do,” Cissy told PEOPLE in a later interview. “I called the police, and they were there within minutes, but it felt like much longer.”

First responders quickly realized the situation was complex. The opening of the well was just eight inches wide—far too narrow for an adult to enter—and Jessica could not climb out on her own.

A National Rescue Effort

Within hours, the scene transformed into a coordinated rescue site involving emergency personnel, drilling specialists, medical workers, and volunteers. The rescue operation continued for nearly 60 hours.

The first officer on scene, Bobbie Jo Hall, described how difficult it was to determine where Jessica was or whether she could respond to rescuers.

“When we called her name, we didn’t hear anything at first,” he explained. “Then finally, we heard a cry.”

A flashlight strapped to a measuring tape allowed responders to locate Jessica deep inside the shaft. Detectives and rescue workers communicated with her throughout the operation, encouraging her to stay awake and responsive.

Detective Andy Glasscock later recalled that Jessica often made noise or cried, giving rescuers reassurance that she was conscious. At one point, she even sang parts of a children’s song—something Glasscock said he never forgot.

The Moment That Captured a Nation

For two and a half days, the rescue effort continued around the clock. News crews arrived, broadcasting live updates as teams drilled a parallel shaft and then a horizontal tunnel to reach Jessica.

Millions of viewers watched as rescuers carefully brought the toddler to the surface. The operation became one of the most memorable live-news moments of the 1980s.

Jessica survived with multiple injuries, but the successful rescue brought relief across the country and prompted an outpouring of support for the family.

Growing Up With a Story Known Around the World

Now known by many as “Baby Jessica,” the toddler’s rescue remained a widely referenced event for decades. But for Jessica, growing up meant learning about the incident long before she fully understood how much attention it had received.

She later shared that she had no memory of the fall or the rescue. Instead, she learned about it the same way many others did—by watching a televised reenactment.

“When I was about four, I saw it on Rescue 911,” she told PEOPLE. “My stepmother explained, ‘You do realize that is about you?’ It was overwhelming.”

Her father, she added, had planned to tell her when she was older, but the episode reached her first.

The Physical Recovery

In the aftermath of the fall, Jessica required extensive medical care. She underwent multiple surgeries—15 in total—as doctors treated injuries caused by prolonged confinement in the narrow shaft. Her right foot required major reconstructive surgery, and she sustained a small scar on her head.

Despite the challenges, Jessica grew up active and healthy. She later said she never viewed the scars as something negative, but as reminders of what she had survived.

Life Today: Family, Work, and a Lasting Legacy

Nearly 40 years after the rescue, Jessica McClure is now Jessica McClure Morales. She married her husband, Danny, in 2006, and the couple live in rural Texas. They share two children—Simon and Sheyenne—and now have grandchildren as well.

Jessica works in the community where she grew up and has held positions in education and local businesses. She has described her life today as grounded and family-centered.

Her husband Danny has his own surprising connection to the story. He remembers watching the live broadcast when he was 13 years old. He recalled that the news interrupted a football game to announce that “Baby Jessica” had been rescued.

“I remember everyone cheering,” he said years later.

How Her Story Continues to Resonate

Decades after the incident, people still recognize the name “Baby Jessica.” Jessica says she occasionally meets someone who realizes who she is and reacts with surprise or nostalgia.

“I still have people who associate me with that story,” she told PEOPLE in 2019. “Sometimes someone will put it together and say, ‘Oh my gosh—you’re Baby Jessica!’”

Her daughter experienced a similar moment at school when a teacher learned who her mother was and showed the class a video about the rescue.

A Fund Built From Global Support

Following the rescue, donations poured in from around the world. Jessica’s story had touched millions, and people wanted to help with her long-term care. The trust fund established for her eventually reached $1.2 million.

However, much of the investment was lost during the 2008 financial crisis. There was still enough remaining for Jessica to purchase a home, something she has expressed deep gratitude for.

One notable contribution came from her future husband’s family—Danny’s mother had donated to the fund back in 1987, never imagining her son would one day marry the toddler she had watched being rescued.

Looking Back Without Anger

Jessica has repeatedly expressed that she holds no negative feelings toward the events of her early childhood. She has described her survival as a blessing and credits her family, medical staff, and community for helping her recover physically and emotionally.

She has also spoken about the kindness shown by strangers during and after the rescue—something she believes helped shape her outlook on life.

“I think what happened was a miracle,” she said in a past interview. “Most people are kind. That’s what I remember.”

A Reminder of Community and Resilience

The story of Baby Jessica remains a powerful example of what communities can accomplish when they work together under difficult circumstances. The rescue is still studied by emergency-response teams and continues to be referenced in discussions about preparedness, teamwork, and public communication.

Nearly four decades later, the details of the event have not faded from public memory. But for Jessica, her life is defined more by her present than by those tense hours in 1987.

She is a mother, a grandmother, and a community member, living a quiet life far removed from the media attention that once surrounded her.

Her childhood rescue may have reached millions, but the years since have been shaped by family, work, and the ordinary moments that create a full and meaningful life.