RALEIGH — A family's court battle has them reliving the day they nearly lost their daughter. The father of Valerie Lakey testified in court Tuesday about the day his child was disemboweled by a pool drain.

Doctors say Valerie's medical problems will last throughout her life and her parents are suing the drain manufacturer for $40 million.

David Lakey said the incident was a horrible nightmare for his family.

On June 24, 1993, Valerie, then 3-years-old, sat on a drain in the baby pool at their neighborhood swim club. David Lakey told the court Tuesday how frustrating it was when he saw his daughter was in distress, but could not pull her from the drain.

Attorneys for the Sta-Right pool drain company say the manufacturer is not at fault. The Laker's attorney showed a video of her slow and painful recovery process.

David Lakey described the moment he knew his daughter would never be the same.

This is a civil trial. There are no criminal charges involved.

The Laker's lawyers will wrap up their presentation before the manufacturer's side will be heard.

No ruling is expected until early next year.