PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A toddler is dead after being found in a lake in Putnam County, according to the Sheriff's Office.
QUICK FACTS:
- A 2-and-a-half-year-old boy was found in a lake in the Melrose Bay area near his home
- The child, who family has identified as Jackson Lee Taggart, was originally reported missing
- The child was pronounced deceased at 8:37 a.m. Thursday
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The Putnam County toddler who drowned Thursday just 100 yards away from his home is 2-year-old Jackson Taggart, according to his family.
Loved ones said the little boy drowned in Santa Fe Lake.
Jackson’s sisters spoke with Action News Jax’s Beth Rousseau with their parents’ permission.
Jelena Taggart said, “Usually, I go say bye to him before I leave and I didn’t see him and then I noticed that the door was wide open.”
She explained she was getting ready for school when she realized her little brother wasn’t in the house.
“I didn’t even think. I just started running down the road looking for him and then I came back and I told everyone," she said.
Family sent me this photo of Jackson Lee Taggart, they say the 2-year-old drowned after wandering out of their house this morning. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/hv6M9nPeIm
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) May 2, 2019
According to investigators, the toddler was phoned in as missing at 8:15. An hour later, a deputy found the little boy in the water.
They believe he wandered into the yard across the street and down to the lake.
Jackson’s oldest sister, Brandina Taggart, said, “I didn’t even get to tell him I loved him before he was gone.”
Both of the sisters said they’re amazed at the way the community is showing up to help the family, visiting and bringing food.
Jelena said, “It’s, like, very warming to the heart to know that people are there for you even if you don’t know them, that there are good people out in the world even if there are bad things going on.”
The girls said pictures don’t capture the charisma of their adventurous, outgoing little brother.
Brandina noted that, “I won’t get to spend any more holidays with him.”
“Jackson, I’m going to miss you a lot. I know you’re in a better place and I’m going to come see you one day but until then, I’m going miss you,” Jelena said.
The family told Rousseau they've set up a GoFunMe account.
This is the second recent drowning of a toddler in our area. In April, a 2-year-old drowned in a retention pond in Baker County.
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