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Published: 2010-02-16 16:28:00
Updated: 2010-02-17 06:33:35

Posted: February 16, 2010
Updated: February 17, 2010

3-year-old drowns in Robeson County drainage ditch

A Robeson County child drowned Tuesday in a ditch near his home.
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A Robeson County child drowned Tuesday in a ditch near his home.
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Lumberton, N.C. — A 3-year-old boy died Tuesday evening, hours after he was found under water in a ditch near Lumberton, authorities said.

Jay Flores wandered away from his Rozier Church Road home at about 11 a.m.

Robeson County Sheriff Ken Sealey said Jay's mother, Candace Hardin, went to get the mail and left the child with his grandmother.

When grandmother Joyce Hardin went to the bathroom, the boy walked out.

"He had snuck out of the house without anybody seeing him, and he wandered off," relative Joanna Riojas said.

Dozens of people searched the area. They found him at about 2:30 p.m. in a ditch filled with about 6 feet of water behind the home, authorities said.

He was taken to Southeastern Regional Medical Center for treatment, and he was pronounced dead at about 6 p.m.

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

39 Comments


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Not the time or place to critique anyone, but to remember that we can never keep our eyes on our dear ones 100% of the time, and that it only takes an instant for happiness to behold tragedy.

May the family find peace in knowing that accidents do happen, that all things do happen for a reason, and that their special one has greater things ahead......
Click to view my profile familyfour
February 17, 2010 7:31 p.m.
"I realize that you folks are probably just trying to be nice here, but can we be a little rational? :-) I mean, if you were a god, wouldn't you run a kinder planet. I know would...and I wouldn't require homage, submission & tithing to do it. You?"

Obvious Troll is obvious.
Click to view my profile Das G
February 17, 2010 4:17 p.m.
Such a sad incident. Prayers to the family!
hiyadun
February 17, 2010 2:36 p.m.
God Bless this family. My heart goes out to them. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Click to view my profile 2beachy4u
February 17, 2010 1:47 p.m.
This is so tragic. When my oldest was 2, her friend who was just a few months older drowned in the lake behind his house. It was devastating to his family, and also to all of us surrounding them as well.

They have my sincere sympathies, although I know nothing can ease that kind of pain. I'm so sorry.
Killian
February 17, 2010 12:57 p.m.
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