The Truth About Jamie Lynn Spears' Daughter's ATV Accident

Jamie Lynn Spears is back and better than ever — 12 years after Nickelodeon's hit show Zoey 101 went off the air. The actress made her return to television by starring in Netflix's new series Sweet Magnolias, which premiered in May 2020, and she's happily married to husband Jamie Watson. Even though Spears — who shares her oldest daughter, Maddie Aldridge, with her ex Casey Aldridge and youngest daughter, Ivey Joan, with Watson — is juggling motherhood, acting, and music, she knows home is where the heart is.

In fact, Spears made the decision to have her kids grow up in Louisiana, just like she did. "I've always loved my home," Spears told People in 2018. "I just want my girls to grow up the same way, really appreciating where we're from, and I want them to have their familiar upbringing, which is being at Grandma's and having the same routine, the same school — I've created that there, and this is home."

But tragedy struck in 2017 when Maddie — who was 8 years old at the time — was involved in a scary ATV accident. In May 2020, Spears recalled the emotional incident during an episode of Maria Menounos' podcast, Better Together with Maria Menounos, and luckily, Maddie came out on the other side.

So, what exactly happened to Maddie? Keep reading to find out.

Jamie Lynn Spears got emotional during an episode of Maria Menounos' podcast, Better Together with Maria Menounos, in May 2020 when talking about her oldest daughter Maddie's scary accident. The actress revealed Maddie was riding an ATV "with every safety measure that could be taken," but "somehow or another, drove into the water."

"We dove in," Spears continued to explain, per People. "We were able to rescue her. When we were finally able to get her out of the water... and the first responders took her from me, we thought she was gone. We thought we lost our daughter."

Fortunately, a firefighter was able to get a pulse from Maddie, and she was airlifted to a hospital. But when Spears and her husband, Jamie Watson, got there, "it wasn't looking good and she wasn't responding to anything." As a result, Spears begged the doctors to have her priest come into the ICU because she "really wanted [Maddie] to be prayed over."

After the priest "put oil on her and read the rites," Maddie "sat up and started kicking, and her hands started grabbing at all the things." Spears added, "That was our first sign that she was there."

After Jamie Lynn Spears saw her oldest daughter, Maddie Aldridge, start moving again after her near-fatal ATV accident, she said, "In that moment, spiritually, mentally, everything changed."

"I faced my worst fear now," she admitted to Maria Menounos on the podcast (via People). "What else can I mess up or do wrong that is going to be as horrible as that? There is nothing, and God gave me the blessing of giving me my daughter back. I lost her, and I got her back, so I don't get to make any excuses."

From then on, Spears revealed she didn't take anything for granted. "I just remember that is the worst moment I have ever had, probably the worst moment you could have, but I was given her back, and for so many, that is not the case. So, I am not allowed to waste a day on this earth, complaining or being ungrateful."

Now, Maddie — who is fully recovered from the incident — is growing up right before the Zoey 101 alum's eyes. "I have got a little reminder every single day, even when she is being mean to me," Spears said. "I am like, 'I am so happy she's here.' [Maddie] is a sweetheart, she is a special little girl. I am so lucky for my little girls."

Even though Jamie Lynn Spears got pregnant with her oldest daughter, Maddie Aldridge, when she was just 16 years old, the actress made it clear that age is just a number when it comes to being a parent. "I would say that being a mom is being a mom: It doesn't matter if you're in your teens or not, there should be no excuse to not be a great mother," she told People in May 2018. "It doesn't matter what your age is."

Spears — who welcomed her second daughter, Ivey Joan, with her husband, Jamie Watson, in April 2018 — is now navigating life as a mother-of-two. However, Spears acknowledged, "it's just been a really peaceful experience" this time around due to the amazing support system she has.

"I'm much more sure of myself as a young mother [now]," she explained to People. "As a new mother with your first child, you are questioning and guessing everything. And as you go into it the second time, you're like, 'I got this. I figured this out one time before; I can do it again. You have a little more confidence in yourself."

Sounds like Spears is a pro with her kids.