Boy dies after fall in water in NE Harris County

HOUSTON -- The Harris County Sheriff's Office says a three-year-old boy is dead after he and his younger brother were found unresponsive in a body of water near Crosby.

SkyEye HD was over the scene as officials surrounded what appeared a water-filled pit in the 11800 block of Garrett Road. There was a child's ride-on toy and a visibly distraught woman nearby.

"Very tragic situation. That's what we have here," said Lt. Joe Ambriz.

According to sheriff's officials, the brothers were home with their mother. She was bathing a 5-year-old sibling. The boys, ages one and three, wandered out of the house and into the water. The mother discovered them and tried to revive them. Her husband, arriving home, tried too. The parents rushed the boys to a nearby fire station. They were then taken to the hospital. The 3-year-old died. The 1-year-old is critically injured.

Relatives rushed to the property where the family lives and the father is also a caretaker, according to authorities.

"Dad was crying about it. That's all I can say," said Eramso Luna, the boys' uncle. "I would, too, if that happened to my kids."

The sheriff's office says the hole was dug three or four months ago because the dirt had been contaminated by a fuel leak. For months, it had been drained.

"After this heavy rain, he (the father) did not drain it this time and this accident happened," explained Ralph Gonzalez of the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

No decision has been made about possible criminal charges.