Body Of Missing 1-Year-Old Recovered From Septic Tank In Family's Backyard

KEY POINTS

The boy was playing with his sister in the backyard before disappearing
Over 120 law enforcement officers, firefighters helped in the search
Investigators believe the boy accidentally fell into the septic tank

A one-year-old boy who went missing in Florida was found dead in a septic tank near his house.

Jose Lara was last seen playing with his sister in their family’s backyard in Crescent City on Sunday afternoon.

The mother took the girl inside to clean her up and could not find Jose anywhere upon returning, the sheriff's office said, according to WESH 2 News.

Investigators launched a search for Jose and issued a missing child alert Sunday afternoon. Putnam County Sheriff H.D. Gator announced Monday afternoon that they found the child’s body in a septic tank on the family’s property.

The child’s death appeared to be the result of an accidental fall.

Investigators believe the toddler wandered off with no one around and reached the septic tank that is 35 to 40 yards away from the house. The sheriff’s office said Jose may have accidentally fallen into the tank, which was covered with rotting plywood.

This is a cancellation to the Florida Missing Child Alert. With sadness, the child has been found deceased. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Putnam County community. If you would like further info, please call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, 386-329-0801. https://t.co/199YnXDof3
— FDLE (@fdlepio) March 28, 2022

After the toddler went missing, over 120 law enforcement officers and firefighters searched a 2-square-mile area for signs of Jose’s whereabouts, ABC News reported. As part of the probe, authorities decided Monday to drain the septic tank.

“Underneath the layer of dirt there was a piece of plywood that had been there for some time and appeared it had rotted to the extent so that when he stepped on it, he actually fell in,” DeLoach said at a news conference.

While the case remains under investigation, no foul play was suspected, according to Action News Jax.

“This was certainly the worst possible case scenario as far as outcome,” DeLoach told the outlet. “These things happen in just a blink of an eye. And it’s terribly unfortunate what’s happened here but it serves as a reminder to all of us who have children, that are parents, that there’s never an opportunity to leave them unsupervised.”

Neighbors and strangers arrived to support the family after finding out their child was missing. "I didn't go to work, I said I've got to do something for this family,” Janet Arce told WESH 2 News.

"As a community, this is the time for us to get together and support each other,” Arce added.

DeLoach also said, “We're grieving with the family and ask for your prayers as they grieve this unimaginable loss of a son, a brother and a grandson."