Boy Buried In Sandbox Dies


EVERETT, Wash. -- A boy who was in critical condition after he was buried in a backyard sandbox over the weekend died Monday afternoon.

According to a statement from Codey Porter’s family, the boy died at Children's Hospital.

"We are sad to inform you that Codey Porter passed away today at approximately 3:35 p.m. He passed peacefully, with his family at his side. We appreciate all the support and prayers that we have received. We have decided to honor Codey's memory by making him an organ donor, and a miracle for another family," the statement said.

Porter, 10, told playmates to bury his head in sand. He got the idea from a cartoon he watched on television, according to his half-brother, Joshua Quantrille. In the cartoon, called "Naruto," sand is sometimes used as a weapon.

The incident happened around 11 a.m. Saturday in the 13800 block of 59th Avenue SE in Everett.

Quantrille, 30, told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News that Codey was playing with Quantrille's three sons and several other children in the back yard of a home belonging to a family friend.

Quantrille said Codey was buried about from his head to his chest. At some point, he began thrashing around, but the children apparently thought he was playing.

Snohomish County spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said the other five children soon realized he wasn't breathing and they dug him out and called for help.

Deputies said adults were home at the time of the incident and they administered CPR until aid arrived.

Deputies said they talked to the five children to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident. No children were detained or taken into custody.

Hover said on Monday that the sheriff's office completed its investigation and ruled the incident an accident. A note that went to parents of students at Silver Firs Elementary School, where Codey attended fifth grade, said that counselors would be available all day Monday to students who might want to talk about the accident.