Family Disputes Police Report After 3-Year-Old Dies in Stann Creek

Tonight, there are conflicting accounts of the circumstances that led to the death of a three-year-old child with Down syndrome in southern Belize. What is known for sure is that the toddler, Jose Luis Sandoval, died on Friday, May 30, in Red Bank Village, Stann Creek District. While official information from police is that the child drowned in a bucket of water, the family is contesting that report, saying that the child died of natural causes. Earlier today, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacie Smith gave the official report to the media and said that the post-mortem results will determine what happens next.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Police are investigating the death of three year old Jose Luis Sandoval which occurred on 30th May 2025 in Redbank Village Stann Creek District. So far what investigators have been able to ascertain as it relates to that incident is that Sandoval was left in the care of a 16 year old relative when at approximately 3:40 in the afternoon because she could not locate Sandoval in the house or in the property she extended her search to the property adjacent to theirs and that search ultimately concluded with the discovery of Sandoval in a bucket which contained water. No visible injuries were observed on Sandoval and the body now awaits a post mortem. The post mortem examination I believe will clearly Indicate the cause of death conclusively.”

Reporter: So it was just the 16 year old at home at the time, just her ? 

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “It was the 16 year old whose care the child was left in. Certainly the fact of that incident would determine how police would approach such a situation.”

Our newsroom reported the incident over the weekend when the story first broke, and since then, the family reached out to our Southern Correspondent Harry Arzu to challenge the report. While they did not go on record, they had a third party, former Red Bank Chairman Kenry Cal, relay that Jose had a heart condition.

Kenroy Cal, Former Chairman, Red Bank Village: “Yes it is an unfortunate incident. We are saddened with our community, as a community on the loss of the baby. The family informed us that it suffered from some sickness so that is what is the cause of the death it’s not a drowning. It is sad. It’s a baby and it’s unfortunate. Well it just mentioned that he had some heart problem, some heart problem that’s what she mentioned to us.”

We’ll be following up once the post-mortem results are released.