Beachgoers cautious after girl, 6, bitten by shark

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- A six-year-old girl is recovering after being bitten by a shark Tuesday evening on Galveston Island. She was stable when she was taken into surgery, said a spokesperson with Galveston Island Beach Patrol.

It was the talk of the island Wednesday. Marin Alice Melton's father, Matthew Grove Melton, told Eyewitness News the little girl is in recovery. In a statement, he says:

"She resides at the UTMB hospital in Galveston. Marin is supported by her loving Melton/Corbett/DeYoung family. She welcomes prayers for the restoration of her lower left leg and foot. She will be having multiple surgeries to help her feel better. She is stable and maintains a gracious, positive attitude. Her vital signs are good. We are grateful to God for His sustaining grace, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Thank you for your concern."

Still, several families are nervous about allowing their young children to swim in the water after Marin Melton was bitten. However, the beach patrol says the odds of a child getting bitten by a shark are extremely low.

VIDEO: Girl, 6, bitten by shark near Pirate's Beach

A little girl is recovering after a shark bit her on the leg during a visit to a Galveston beach Tuesday afternoon.

"We just need to be cautious with our babies, you know?" Lisa Espinosa said while watching her grandsons play in the water.

What happened didn't stop Espinosa from bringing her family to the beach. But she is keeping a close eye on Ivan and Isaac as they splash around.

"Just watching for the fins of the shark," she said.

"Pay attention to your kids," said Rafael Espinosa, Lisa's husband. "Don't let them out of your sight for any reason."

A spokesperson with beach patrol says you're more likely to get into a car accident on the way to the beach than get bitten by a shark. But he does have some tips to keep yourself safe.

"Number one, you want to avoid schooling fish. This is the type of fish that sharks and other carnivorous fish eat," said Peter Davis. "That's probably the biggest tip. Also, if you shuffle your feet, sting rays, fish will move away from you if they feel that vibration in shallow water."