A new video of a Louisiana teen found deceased last week showed him willingly get into the car of
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 15-year-old Quawan Charles was found face-down, deceased in a rural field in water, near Loreauville on November 3. The family reportedly said that officials said the teen drowned with muddy water found in his lungs, but a graphic death photo has the family questioning what really happened.
The family, in turn, ordered an independent autopsy to be performed by American Forensics, a forensics agency in Mesquite, Texas. The agency said agreed with the initial autopsy in that the boy likely drowned.
The independent forensics agency also said the original autopsy was complete and thorough. Yet, questions still remain. How did Quawan end up alone in a remote area? How did he drown in what a neighbor in the area called “ankle-deep water?”
Authorities provided more updates on Tuesday, with security footage taken on October 30 near Quawan’s father’s house in Baldwin, the last place the teen was seen by his family before he vanished. The video appeared to show Quawan waiting outside, then willingly leaving with someone when a car pulled up.
Quawan, a quiet teen who struggled with dyslexia, was picked up by an adult, Janet Irvin, according to police. Her 17-year-old son Gavin was in the car as well. Family members stressed that they did not give Janet Irvin permission to pick up Quawan.
Yet, no AMBER Alert was issued for the boy despite the family’s pleas, and when a highly disturbing photo of Quawan (WARNING: graphic photo) post-death showed up online, anger and outrage poured into the local Baldwin police station.
“We did not drop the ball. We did everything in our power to help this family,” Baldwin Assistant Chief of Police Samuel Wise said, according to CBS 10. “We started thinking, started talking, started hitting the streets, started beating the streets initially.”
“Threats, all that my brothers and sisters, needs to stop. Enough is enough. Enough is enough. Baldwin went as far as Baldwin could go with this investigation. The rest of this investigation now belongs with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office.”
The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office is now treating the case as a homicide. Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero confirmed that detectives are continuing their investigation into the case.
“We gathered evidence at the home of individuals who reportedly were with Quawan ‘Bobby’ Charles just before his disappearance. We interviewed these same individuals and are actively tracking their whereabouts. We have spoken with at least one eye witness who reportedly saw Quawan ‘Bobby’ Charles before his death in the area near where he was later found deceased.”
According to the Washington Post, the Irvin family has not spoken to Quawan’s family since the boy’s death. Kenneth Jacko, Quawan’s father, said that Gavin told police that Quawan was at his home on October 30 but left alone and didn’t return.
“[Gavin] said Quawan got up and said he was leaving. [Gavin] asked about where Quawan was going, and after that, he disappeared,” Jacko said.
The Irvins are no longer living in the trailer home they were in when Quawan was with them. They may have gotten evicted, the Post reports.
“This is a nightmare. I’ve had to go on a wild goose chase just to get information,’ Roxanne Nelson said.
“I want the lady who came to get my son without my permission, his dad’s permission, to be held accountable. She took them to her house. He was alive and well when he was here, and now he is dead.”
So far, no one has been named a suspect in connection with Quawan’s death.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Quawan Charles/Handout]
