FAIRBURY - Authorities continued their investigation Monday into the accidental drowning of a two-year-old Fairbury boy in a boating mishap.
Carter Tjarks was fishing Friday with his grandfather in a Geneseo pond when his grandfather had a medical episode related to a diabetic condition, said Rock Island County Chief Deputy Coroner Brian Gustafson. The child was missing from the boat after his grandfather regained consciousness.
Authorities do not believe the child was wearing a flotation device, the chief deputy said.
The toddler was pronounced dead at 6:19 p.m. at Genesis Medical Center-Illini Campus, Silvis.
The child is the son of Lacey Hatcher and Steve Tjarks. Survivors include brothers Zach and Caden Tjarks and sisters Jenna Tjarks and Shelby Johnson.
The coroner's office and the state Department of Natural Resources are investigating the drowning. Autopsy results are expected in about three weeks, said Gustafson.
His funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in Geneseo and Wednesday in Pontiac.
Posted in News on Monday, August 18, 2008 12:00 am Updated: 12:00 pm.
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