A three-year-old boy in Lakewood, Washington died on Sunday, September 8, 2024 after falling into a neighbor’s septic tank while playing outside with his four-year-old brother. The child was playing unsupervised for a brief moment when he wandered into a neighbor’s yard and somehow removed the lid from the septic tank.
His brother alerted their grandmother, who had been periodically checking on them. She immediately called 911 at approximately 2:21 p.m. The child’s body was retrieved from the tank about 45 minutes later, at 3:05 p.m. This incident is the second fatal septic tank accident involving young children in just two days.
In a similar tragedy, a two-year-old boy from Northumberland County, Virginia died on September 6 after falling into a septic tank near his home. According to WTVR News, the child managed to open the septic tank lid before falling in. His father quickly pulled him out and tried to resuscitate him by performing CPR, but the toddler was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.
Northumberland County Sheriff Johnny Beauchamp confirmed, “Upon arrival of first responders, the child had already been removed from a septic tank and CPR was in progress. EMS transported the child to a local hospital. Despite their best efforts, the child died at the hospital.”
Both cases highlight the dangers posed by unsecured septic tanks, particularly for curious young children. In 2023, a similar incident occurred in Indiana when three-year-old Kenna Wilson died after falling into a septic tank while under the care of a babysitter. The toddler was believed to have removed the lid on her own. Despite the mother’s attempts to press charges against the babysitter, Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel explained that there wasn’t enough evidence to warrant charges.
Septic tank accidents are not uncommon, with The Beasley Firm reporting that approximately 50 children die each year after falling into septic tanks. Many of these tragedies occur when lids are left unsecured or poorly maintained, making them an easy target for curious children. According to safety guidelines from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, securing septic tank lids is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent these accidents. “Cover your tank openings with durable lids you can secure in place. Check for damages and cracks,” the department advises.
There are also safety devices on the market, such as a “kid catcher” — a $10 piece of plastic that can prevent children from falling into an open septic system. Unfortunately, these safety measures are not always followed by homeowners or property managers, putting children at risk.
The family of the boy from Lakewood has not yet released a public statement. Local authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, but no foul play is suspected. The community has already begun to rally around the grieving family, offering support and condolences in the wake of this heartbreaking loss.
