Local

Child dies after falling into hole behind Ocala apartment

OCALA, Fla. — A 1-year-old child died after falling into a hole filled with water at an Ocala apartment complex Sunday, deputies said.

Wyatt Steed wandered away from his guardian while walking around the Greenfield Apartments on SE 29th Street at about 11 a.m.

Deputies were called to the scene where they found the child had fallen in a hole in the back of one of the units.

CPR was performed on Steed, who was then transported to the hospital, where he died.

Crews have since filled the hole. Neighbors said children often play in the area and the incident has them on edge.

“It’s going to haunt me for a long time. Seeing that is kind of like seeing a grave,” said resident Kyle Tuten.

The hole is about 23 inches long and 30 inches wide, deputies said. Reports did not say how deep the hole was.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes detectives are investigating the incident.

It’s not known how long the hole had been there and if anyone reported it was a problem.