Missing Florida Toddler Found Dead Inside Septic Tank

A Florida toddler was found dead inside a septic tank on Monday, a day after he was reported missing by his family.

According to People, the child, identified as one-year-old Jose Lara, went missing while playing in the family's backyard in Crescent City at Putnam County on Sunday afternoon.

In a press conference on Monday night, Putnam County Sheriff Gator DeLoach confirmed that the toddler's body was found in the septic area of the property.

Wesh 2 reported that authorities looked around an area covered in some brush near where the clean-out for the septic tank was located.

Police noted that the Lara was not quickly found because dirt, weeds, 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," DeLoach said. The sheriff noted that one of their leadership team members suggested draining the septic tank, and "it was unfortunately when we discovered the child's body."

Police said the septic tank was covered with a piece of plywood that was already rotten. DeLoach noted that the Florida toddler may have accidentally stepped on the plywood, prompting him to fall on the septic tank where he met his demise.

The sheriff said the investigation is still ongoing. However, he noted that nothing appeared suspicious or indicated foul play in connection to Lara's death.

Florida Toddler Went Missing Before He Died in the Septic Tank

Putnam County Sheriff's Office chief deputy, Col. Joseph Wells, said the Florida toddler was playing with his sister in the family's backyard at about 1:15 p.m., Crime Online reported.

Authorities said their mother took the girl inside to wash her up, and when she returned, the 18-month-old boy was gone.

Reports said the sheriff's deputies have sent out bloodhound tracking teams, search crews, and aviation units to look for Jose Lara. Police also deployed thermal cameras to detect heat as the temperature drops in the area.

Crime Online reported that the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, an aerial crew from Volusia County, and a K-9 unit from St Johns County assisted the Putnam County police in searching for the toddler.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has canceled the missing child alert after the Florida toddler was found dead.

The FDLE also expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Putnam County community," the FDLE noted.

Florida Native Claims Adults Also Fall in Septic Tanks

A Florida native claimed that the Florida toddler was not the only one who fell in a septic tank.

"We've had adults fall in, people riding lawn mowers fall in. Different things like that," Mike Jones told First Coast News.

Jones, the owner of Duck Duck Rooter offering septic tank inspections, said plywood and other materials used to temporarily cover the tanks become soft and brittle over time.

He then urged the Florida community to be familiar with their septic tank system, adding that the cost of fixing things is cheaper than losing a life.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Florida 1-Year-Old Found Dead, Appears to Have Fallen Into Septic Tank - From 10 Tampa Bay