By the WBWTN News Team | June 1, 2025
Stann Creek, Belize (WBWTN) – On Friday, May 30th, 2025, 3 year old Jose Luis Sandoval lost his life in a tragic accident at home in the community of Red Bank Village in the Stann Creek District.
According to family members, young Jose, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome, was being cared for by his 16 year old sister, who stayed home from school that day to look after him. She shared that she had kept a close eye on her brother throughout the day, as he would often try to go outside without anyone noticing.
Sometime around 3:40 p.m., she realized that Jose was no longer in the house or yard. She quickly went to their grandmother’s house next door to check if he had wandered over, but was told he wasn’t there. Just a few minutes later, during her search around the yard, she made a devastating discovery Jose was found head first in a black bucket filled with water, in the outdoor shower area.
She immediately pulled him out and called for her grandmother’s help, but sadly, Jose was unresponsive.
Jose Luis Sandoval was later taken to the Independence Poly Clinic, where he was pronounced dead.