Memorial grows for 3-year-old boy drowned in a Jacksonville park septic tank

The City of Jacksonville is inspecting safety at all parks following the death of a 3-year-old in a park septic tank.

Amari Harley’s body was found in the underground tank at Bruce Park Sunday night.

Marques Burney said he almost fell into the same tanks just days earlier and told Action News Jax that he was going to file a complaint, but never got around to it.

The tanks have been covered with wood since Amari’s accident, but Burney said the lid that was covering the tank before was a lightweight plastic.

MORE: Man describes nearly falling in same septic tank where boy drowned at Jacksonville park | Jacksonville officials: Septic tank passed inspection before boy's death | Complaint filed in January about lid of tank where Jacksonville boy's body found 

A city spokesperson told Action News Jax the tank in Bruce Park has a bolt covering that attaches to the tank.

“It wasn’t even latched on. You could just pick it up because when I stepped on it, it literally was just – boom,” said Burney.

The city says someone filed a care issue about the lid in January, but the tank passed its most recent documented inspection on Sept. 12.

“I feel like the city needs to do more and check their sewage drains more,” said Burney.

Early Tuesday morning, a growing memorial can be seen just feet away from the tanks in honor of the 3-year-old.

Flowers and stuffed animals cover the top of the tank as the community comes together calling for change following the toddler’s death.

Cox Media Group