Funeral for toddler found in septic tank

BRANDON - The funeral for a Valrico toddler who died after falling into an open septic tank will be held this afternoon.

Louis Martinez' family reported him missing the day after Thanksgiving.

After a two-day search, Hillsborough County deputies made the gruesome discovery. The 2-year-old boy had fallen into an unsecured septic tank just 100 yards from the family's mobile home.

The boy's parents said they complained about the hazard before their son's death.

Hillsborough County code inspectors found several unsecured septic tanks in and around the mobile home park, and issued several citations. But inspectors said the only formal complaints on file about the park had nothing to do with the septic tanks.

The Martinez family has spoken about possibly pursuing legal action against the company that owns the mobile home park.

Shortly after Louis's death, family, friends and even total strangers gathered for a candlelight vigil to memorialize the boy.

The funeral will be held at the Nativity Church in Brandon at 3 p.m.