Crescent City community rallies around family who lost baby who fell in septic tank

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — The Putnam County community is rallying around the Lara family after their 18-month-old, Jose Lara, was found dead in a septic tank on Monday.

Action News Jax first told you when the family reported Jose missing at 1:45 p.m. Sunday.

Putnam County Sheriff’s officials announced they found him in a septic tank after he apparently fell through a piece of plywood covering it.

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“She [did] not in a million years ever [think] that this would happen,” Diana Montero said.

Montero sat beside Maria Lara, Jose’s mother. The two have been close friends ever since Maria came to the U.S. from Honduras last year.

Maria, with her head bowed, told Diana she was not ready to speak yet after losing her son.

“We had hope that he was found safe and sound,” Montero said.

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Maria remembers her son as a playful little boy who loved to give hugs.

“He was always smiling, laughing,” Maria told Diana, who translated it for us.

In front of the home, you can see boxes of items community members have dropped off since Monday.

Diana said the community response is overwhelming.

“She’s been receiving all this help from complete strangers,” Montero said.

Folks even stopped by with balloons for the family, and others have organized a meal train.

Diana said Jose’s 6-year-old sister understands the situation and offers words of comfort to her mom.

Diana also said they haven’t learned any more details about Jose’s death. They still do not know how long he was in the septic tank.

There is also a GoFundMe set up for help with Jose’s funeral arrangements.

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