Found Deceased FL - Jose Lara, 1, Crescent City, Putnam Co, 27 Mar 2022

[swanniee11]

Devastating. Prayers to his family.

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Sheriff DeLoach said they decided to check the septic tank on Monday as a precaution. He said there was no previous indication that Jose had fallen in.

“Just beneath the layer of dirt there was actually a piece of plywood that had been there for sometime and appeared to have rotted to the extent that whenever he stepped on it, he actually fell in,” Sheriff DeLoach said.

‘It’s horrible’: Missing Crescent City baby found inside septic tank

 

[NervousNellie]

This is so horrifying and sad. My heart is with the family - and law enforcement. They hoped to find Jose alive, I’m sure.

 

[evilwise]

I'm sure they couldn't afford to have the septic tank professionally maintained so it didn't have its manufacturer's lid on it. Should have put a big flat stone on top of the plywood before they shoveled the dirt on top of that. People don't think about underground voids as a danger but they really are.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I hope the police dept changes or adds to their search checklist the underground voids. Things like sink holes, septic tanks, drain fields, abandoned wells, especially those that are that are uncapped, etc. This was a family compound and maybe someone knew about the tank but maybe not. The family could have bought the property and been unaware. Such a preventable tragedy and they must all be devastated.

 

[borndem]

What an absolute tragedy. He was probably not that far from the house, poor sweet little guy.

Please forgive if this is a repeat.

Body of Florida Toddler Jose Lara Found in Septic Tank a Day After He Vanished While Playing in His Yard
The search for the missing 1-year-old ended with the tragic discovery of his body
By Steve Helling March 28, 2022 10:07 PM
Authorities in rural Putnam County, Fla., have found the body of Jose Lara, the 1-year-old boy who disappeared on Sunday afternoon while playing in the family's backyard.

Searchers found Jose's body in the septic area of the property, Sheriff Gator DeLoach said in a news conference on Monday evening. He was not immediately found because weeds, dirt, and plywood covered the opening to the septic tank.

"It's not an uncommon practice in a situation like this when there's a child missing to search the septic tank as well," Sheriff DeLoach said, according to News4Jax.com. "Actually one of our leadership team members that made the call to drain the septic tank. At that point, it was unfortunately when we discovered the child's body."
[...]
The Sheriff's Office says that there is no indication of foul play, but that the investigation is ongoing.

More here:
Body of Florida Toddler Jose Lara Found in Septic Tank a Day After He Vanished While Playing in His Yard