Sheriff: Penitas infant drowns in bucket

NORTH OF PENITAS - An 11-month-old baby boy died after he drowned in a mop bucket while his mother left him in the care of his 12-year-old brother, sheriff's deputies said.

Antonio Solis Jr. died upon arrival Friday afternoon at Mission Medical Center after his family rushed him there, Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño said.

Antonio's father was working and his mother was tending to other household chores when she told the infant's 12-year-old brother to watch the baby about 5 p.m. Friday.

But Antonio apparently fell into a bucket of water and soap that had been used to mop the floor after the 12-year-old wandered away. Antonio died as the family rushed him to the hospital from their home at the 10700 block of Queen Palm Drive, north of Penitas in western Hidalgo County.

Investigators will not pursue criminal charges against the parents for Antonio's death, Treviño said.

"We just cannot find any negligence on anybody," he said. "This is a true, tragic accident."

Antonio's funeral was Monday at Virgil Wilson Memorial Chapel in Mission. He was set to be laid to rest at Lord & I Cemetery in Palmview.