A 3-year-old boy was found dead inside a septic tank after playing in his backyard over the weekend, police said.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office told FOX 13 Seattle that the toddler, from Lakewood, Washington, was pronounced dead after being pulled from the tank around 3 p.m. Monday. Authorities were called to the incident around 2:20 p.m.
Investigators believe the boy was playing with his 4-year-old brother and a neighbor, age 6, when he fell into the neighbor's septic tank. The boy had reportedly removed the lid from the tank before falling in.
His brother immediately went inside the house and alerted his grandmother, who then called the police.
Multiple people electrocuted in 'freak accident' while swimming in pool: police
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office said the child died after falling into a septic tank. (iStock/Google Maps)
“Detectives and forensic scientists were called to the scene to document the incident,” Sergeant Darren Moss said in a statement.
Authorities told FOX 13 that an adult had been “coming in and out of the home with them.”
Toddler dies in Ocean City, Maryland, crash into streetcar while crossing boardwalk
A file photo of a Pierce County Sheriff's Office vehicle. (Pierce County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
The Tacoma News Tribune reported that the tank is “about the size of a sewer manhole” and about three feet in diameter.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office for more information but did not immediately receive a response.
Click here to get the FOX News app
File image of a septic tank. (iStock)
Authorities are actively investigating the incident. No further details are available at this time.
