How did Jose Lara die? Remains of missing 1-year-old boy found in Florida septic tank
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office announced that they have discovered the body of a missing one-year-old boy after a 24-hour long manhunt. The remains of Jose Lara were found in a septic tank in Florida. Sheriff Gator DeLoach said that the opening was covered by weeds, dirt and plywood. It is possible that the child accidentally stepped on the rotted plywood and fell in. The death is being investigated as a tragic accident for now.
Jose Lara was last seen around 1:15 pm on Sunday, March 27, while he was playing with his sibling in the backyard of their home. His mom took the other child into their home to give them a wash. By the time she returned, Lara was gone. On Monday, March 28, Colonel Joseph Wells with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office announced that three bloodhound teams, two air units and dozens of deputies were involved in the manhunt.
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Deputies said that there is a swamp near the homes, and divers on standby will wade through the water if the search demands. Wells said that animals like otters were seen in the body of water, and he was certain there were alligators and snakes in the swamp too. “It’s probably not going to be a dive operation like you would normally see -- it’ll be more of divers wading through the water,” Wells said, according to News4Jax. “... the body of water is not conducive for boats or other watercraft.”
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has a helicopter helping in the search for 1-year-old Jose Lara. pic.twitter.com/rBAu7cJCP0
— Brie Isom (@BrieIsomWJXT) March 28, 2022
An Amber Alert was not issued at the time as this can be done only in abduction cases. The sheriff's office said there is no evidence at the moment to suggest criminal activities. “There isn’t anything at this point to suggest abduction or any type of foul play on part of the parents,” Wells said. Lara, who only spoke Spanish, was wearing blue jeans and a blue shirt at the time of his disappearance.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a Missing Child Alert shortly after Lara disappeared on March 27. Deputies had reportedly located his toys near the woods behind his home. “There are lots of toys and things out there just like you would expect,” Wells said. “During the very initial search yesterday we did locate a toy truck that was probably 20 yards out of the immediate yard that was identified as a truck that Jose plays with and had played with yesterday. But beyond that, any further out into the woods, there hasn’t been anything located clothing-wise or toys.” Wells said that authorities spoke to sex offenders in the area but did not find anything that could immediately link them to the missing boy.
