2-year-old dies after apparently falling into uncovered septic well

BURLINGTON, Wash. -- A 2-year-old boy died after he apparently fell down an unsecured septic well Monday morning, according to the Skagit County Sheriff's Office.



Chief Tom Molitor said deputies were called around 10:00 a.m. to the 20000 block of Sanchez Lane with report of a missing child.

The family of the boy was visiting another family on the property, and while the families were greeting each other, the small boy wandered off. Deputies were called about 10 minutes after the boy was noticed missing.

A short time later, deputies found a covered septic well in the area, but speaking with the caretaker, learned that the well was uncovered when the family arrived and was re-covered a short time later. Deputies said they discovered the child, identified by the family as Orion Fenstra, inside the well.

Attempts to resuscitate the boy were unsuccessful, and he was later pronounced dead.

Sheriff's deputies are investigating the incident, and in the process of ruling out anything suspicious.