Florida toddler missing since Sunday found dead in septic tank

CRESCENT CITY, Fla. — A Florida toddler who went lacking Sunday whereas taking part in in his yard was discovered lifeless Monday afternoon in a septic tank’s overgrown drain subject, authorities stated. 

The physique of Jose Lara, who would have turned 2 in Might, was discovered shortly after 1 p.m. Monday close to Crescent Metropolis, round 55 miles south of Jacksonville, stated Putnam County Sheriff’s Workplace spokeswoman Allison Waters Merritt.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Workplace Col. Joseph Wells, chief deputy, stated in a press convention late Sunday afternoon that Jose was final seen round 1:15 p.m. whereas taking part in along with his sister and mom within the yard of their residence alongside U.S. Freeway 17. 

The boy’s sister acquired soiled and the mom went into the house to wash her and when she returned, she couldn’t discover her son, Wells stated.

The mom referred to as the Putnam County Sheriff’s Workplace after half-hour of looking out and never discovering him, Wells stated.

A number of companies together with Marion, Volusia and St. Johns counties and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Service, launched an all out search to seek out the boy Sunday afternoon. 

The search included drones, a Volusia County Sheriff’s helicopter, and a number of Okay-9 models and bloodhounds, to trace the world behind the house. A toy the boy was recognized to play with was discovered by the canines monitoring the property, however they had been unable to find the toddler, Wells stated.

Authorities searched the world behind the house that had some swampy elements and a pond, Waters Merritt stated.

The search continued until 11:45 p.m. Sunday and resumed at 7 a.m. on Monday, Waters Merritt stated.

“The canines continued to hit round the home indicating that the kid had by no means left, so you understand we continued to go looking,” Waters Merritt stated on Monday afternoon.

Waters Merritt stated that throughout the search Monday, investigators determined to empty a septic tank on the property and when a contractor acquired on scene and started engaged on the septic tank, an overgrown space was found close by. That spot had a chunk of plywood over it that regarded prefer it had been stepped on and damaged, Waters Merritt stated.

“That was sadly the place they did discover Jose,” she stated.

Putnam County Sheriff H. D. DeLoach, stated the septic tank’s drain subject the place Jose’s physique was discovered submerged, was about 35 yards from the house.

The investigation into the incident remains to be ongoing however authorities have discovered nothing to point foul play, DeLoach stated.

“It simply seems that it’s a very tragic accident,” Waters Merritt stated. “The household is understandably upset and our hearts exit to them.”

Comply with Patricio G. Balona on Twitter: @PBalonaNJ.