CARMEL, N.Y. (August 7, 2012)--A 6-year-old was seen wading with a woman before the little girl was found clinging to the woman’s corpse in a New York lake, authorities said.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection identified the woman Tuesday as Pamela Kaner, 59, of Brewster, N.Y.

Commissioner Carter Strickland says Carmel, N.Y., authorities notified DEP police Monday about a possible drowning in Lake Gleneida.

Two men and a woman in a rowboat found the child clinging to the woman’s corpse in the middle of the Putnam County lake at around 5 p.m. Monday.

The girl was crying for help.

The boaters put a life vest on the child, brought her to shore and called 911.

An autopsy on the woman is planned.

The Journal News reported that the woman was a friend of the girl's mother.