3-Year-Old Boy Dies After Falling into Septic Tank While Playing Outside with His 4-Year-Old Brother

Mar. 15, 2025

A 3-year-old boy has died in Washington state after falling into a septic tank, officials said.

On Sunday, Sept. 8 at 2:21 p.m. local time, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and fire crews responded to reports of a boy falling into a sewage tank, Sgt. Darren Moss confirmed to PEOPLE.

The sheriff’s department added that detectives had been told the child was playing with his 4-year-old brother and a 6-year-old neighbor in the backyard when the tragedy occurred, stating that an adult had been “in and out of the house with them.”

A stock photo of a septic tank.Getty

Getty

After the 3-year-old lifted the lid on the tank and fell in, his brother told their grandmother, who called 911.

The tank was in the neighbor’s yard, the sheriff’s department confirmed.

“Detectives and forensic investigators were called to the scene to document the incident,” spokesperson Moss said.

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A photo of a Pierce County Sheriff’s Department police car.pierce county sheriff’s department/facebook

pierce county sheriff’s department/facebook

Per theTacoma News Tribune, Moss confirmed the septic tank lid was “similar to the size of a sewer manhole.”

The paper reported that the sergeant had estimated its size as “three feet in diameter,” so it was big enough for a toddler to fall into.

source: people.com