Girl Dies After Falling Into Septic Tank

Tragic end to the search for a missing Lakewood, NJ girl

A young girl is dead after falling inside a septic tank in Ocean County, New Jersey.

On Monday, around 4:50 p.m., police say they were contacted by a woman who reported she could not find her 2-year-old daughter identified as J.C. Police arrived at the home on East Spruce Street and began to search.

Investigators say search teams found a 3-feet-wide hole in the yard that led to a septic tank. They called in the Lakewood Township Public Works Department to pump water out from the tank. Around 7:30 p.m., police say the water level dropped and emergency crews found the girl's body, which they carefully removed.

Investigators believe J.C. was playing in the yard with her four siblings when she fell down the hole into the septic tank. They also say the girl's mother was inside her home with her 2-month-old child when the accident happened. Family members of the girl spoke to NBC10 about the tragedy.

"I just saw it on the news," said Selena Lozado Rojas, the girl's aunt. "It's a terrible accident that I never thought could happen to my niece." 

No one has been charged in the incident. Police continue to investigate.


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