Autopsy conducted on toddler found in septic tank hole

Sunday, November 29, 2009

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Hundreds of mourners remembered the little boy Saturday night at a vigil.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A vigil was held Saturday evening, after Hillsborough County officials announced the discovery of the body of Luis Martinez, 2, in an open septic tank hole.

Martinez was reported missing by his parents about 3:30 p.m. Friday.

There are conflicting reports about what Martinez had been doing when he was last seen.

Some reports said he was playing at a neighbor's home on Silver Lane, south of State Road 60 and off Mulrennan Road.

Other reports said he was walking up and down his street asking for ice cream.

Crews were out in the Valrico area, where a command center was set up near State Road 60 and Mulrennan Road -- in an open field.

More Information

Family, friends, and neighbors react to Luis Martinez' death

Because of the various terrain, a dive team joined the search to scan nearby lakes and ponds.

Dozens of deputies and lots of volunteers fanned out in the area around 8:30 a.m. in search of the toddler.

Later on in the morning, it was reported that 60 law enforcement officers and 150 volunteers were involved in the search.

Shortly before 2 p.m. officials announced that they believe Martinez fell into an open septic tank hole in the ground near a mobile home park on Silver Lane.

A local company was able to come out and pump down the hole's raw sewage low enough to determine that his body was there.

Heavy equipment was needed to excavate the hole, so that the body could be removed.

Available on TV:

Sheriff David Gee's entire announcement
Go to Bay News 9 On Demand, channel 342, BN9 News section, News Conferences category

Originally, investigators did not think the hole was large enough for the child to fit into, because it was so overgrown with grass.

It is about 11 inches wide and 5-feet deep, connected to a septic tank.

"We were notified by someone in the area who had thought about this and was aware of an area here that was very close to where the child went missing," said Sheriff David Gee. "There was a small hole that, although it would not be apparent if you weren't familiar with the area, that a septic tank had been opened and that grass had grown over it."

Sheriff Gee said that the boy's parents have been notified of the discovery.

A new investigation begins into the septic tank hole, and why it was uncovered. Neighbors have said they reported it, but nothing was done.

Any possible issues of negligence or code violations won't be addressed until the Medical Examiner's report is completed.

Officials report that an autopsy was completed Saturday evening, but the cause of death has not been released yet -- although the body has been positively identified as the two-year-old.

Hundreds of volunteers sobbed as the news was given, and came together to remember the child.

Volunteer Anthony Abramson says that he can't believe what happened.

"I'm kinda at a loss for words," said Abramson. "It's an accident. If someone would have reported it, if it was taken care of, this would have never happened to this child."

The Martinez family also has a two-month-old daughter.

Donations are being collected to help the family pay for a funeral for Luis Martinez.

A service is planned for Tuesday evening at the Nativity Catholic Church.

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