Police question family members in connection with death of boy found in septic tank

The father of the boy with a heart condition maintains his innocence.

HOOKSTOWN, Pa. (AP) —

An autopsy was scheduled for today on the body of a missing Pennsylvania boy, who suffered from a heart condition and was found Saturday stuffed in a septic tank.

Police have been questioning the boy’s family in connection with the death.

Wyatt Smitsky, 4, was reported missing by his family about 7:30 p.m. Friday.

State police said the boy’s body was found about 12:45 p.m. Saturday after searchers drained a septic tank on property near the boy’s Greene Township home. Trooper Robert Lagoon said authorities “have a known suspect and anticipate filing charges.”

Police questioned the boy’s relatives for hours, including his parents Terri and John Smitsky.

John Smitsky left the state police station in Brighton Township late Saturday evening, accompanied by an attorney.

The lawyer, Joseph Horowitz of Pittsburgh, said Smitsky maintains he had nothing to do with his son’s death, the Beaver County Times reported today.

“As far as he is concerned, it’s an accident,” Horowitz said. “He’s just very upset about the loss of his son, and he wants to go home with his family.”

Wyatt had a heart disorder and required medication. In reporting him missing, his family told police he was playing outside with two sisters, ages 3 and 6.

Hundreds of emergency personnel and volunteers searched for the boy in dense woods with the help of dogs until 3 a.m. and resumed the search at 10 a.m. Authorities used ATVs and a helicopter with infrared sensors. The FBI also assisted because of the age of the victim.

Lt. Thomas Dubovi said the septic tank, located between the Smitsky house and a neighboring home, was covered by a heavy metal lid, similar to a manhole cover. He said it would have been impossible for the boy to lift it.