Lousiana authorities have made an arrest in connection with the 2020 death of 15-year-old Quawan Charles.
The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that authorities arrested Janet Irvin, 37, on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and failure to report a missing child. Police arrested Irvin on Tuesday, following the release of Quawan’s toxicology report to the family.
“The final autopsy and toxicology report were published, and those findings have been released to the family by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office,” police wrote.
The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office didn’t include the specifics of the results in its report, but the family shared the results with ABC 3.
According to the toxicology report, Quawan had alcohol, THC, and metabolites in his system. The autopsy stated that Quawan had no external injuries, aside from animals and insects who bit off portions of the boy’s face. There were no bruises, abrasions, or broken bones, the autopsy stated.
Quawan was found naked and “lying in a drainage ditch along the headland, in a sugar cane field adjacent to Ed. Broussard Rd.,” Iberia Parish authorities said.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Quawan, a quiet teen who struggled with dyslexia, was last seen with Irvin and her 17-year-old son Gavin, on October 30, 2020. Quawan was at his father’s house in Baldwin at the time and left while his father was at the store.
Family members stressed that they did not give anyone permission to pick up Quawan.
Later that night, and after unsuccessful attempts to reach him, the family reported Quawan missing to the Baldwin police and requested an AMBER Alert. The family said that authorities declined to issue the alert, claiming Quawan was likely at a football game or with friends.
On November 3, authorities found Quawan deceased in a rural, wooded area near Loreauville. The family said that officials said Charles drowned, but a graphic death photo (warning: photo may be disturbing to viewers) had the family questioning what really happened.
The autopsy reported indicated that Quawan was spotted on security by himself before his death. Footage also showed him “crawling in culverts” close to a school. The report said Quawan became aggressive and threatened to take his own life after possibly using mushrooms and/or marijuana.
A doctor told ABC 3 that the drug levels in Quawan’s body were low, but it’s possible that the drugs had metabolized since it took several days before the boy’s body was discovered.
CBS This Morning reports that Irvin previously admitted to a private investigator she should have called the police after Quawan allegedly ran from her home.
“Yes, I should have called the cops. I should have went further,” Irwin reportedly said.
While talking with the private investigator, Irvin’s son, Gavin, claimed that Quawan smoke marijuana on the day in question.
Private Investigator: “Did he smoke something, or did he, I mean…?”
Irvin: “Yeah, he smoked some weed. That was it.”
Ronald Haley, an attorney for Quawan’s family, reportedly said that Irvin could be arrested on a “slew of charges,” the outlet reports.
“She knew something was wrong and did nothing,” Haley said. “It speaks volumes as to what her involvement was in this case.”
Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero said that the investigation is “far from over.”
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Quawan Charles and Janet Irvin/Police Handout]
