A family is desperate for answers as mystery surrounds the untimely death of a Lousiana teen.
The family of 15-year-old Quawan “Bobby” Charles is pushing for an independent investigation into his death after he was found deceased in a rural, wooded area near Loreauville on November 3. The family reportedly said that officials said Charles drowned, but a graphic death photo has the family questioning what really happened.
“My son has a big knot on his head,” mother Roxanne Nelson told KATC 3. “It’s obvious someone hit him in the head with something.
Quawan, a quiet teen who struggled with dyslexia, was last seen with a friend and his friend’s mother on October 30. He was at his father’s house in Baldwin at the time and left without permission, a family spokesperson said.
Later that night, and after unsuccessful attempts to reach him, the family reported him missing to the Baldwin police and requested an AMBER Alert.
The family said that authorities declined to issue the alert and blew off their concerns, claiming Quawan was likely at a football game or with friends. His mother said it was unlike Quawan not to answer his phone; he was excited about getting a haircut and would have responded if he could have.
“There was no Amber Alert issued,” Chase Trichell, the family’s lawyer, told News 10. “The police did not take this seriously, at least initially, and the question of course is, could his life have been saved?”
Family members started a GoFundMe page (Warning: Graphic Photo) to help raise money for an independent investigation.
“He was found dead under mysterious circumstances, and we just want an honest and thorough investigation with the Iberia Parish Sheriff Department,” Quawan’s stepfather Jason Nelson said, according to Essence.
Authorities released a statement Tuesday, stating they are still investigating the incident.
“The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Investigation continues to investigate the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a male juvenile, who was discovered by Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies on November 3, 2020 near the village of Loreauville.
Investigators have interviewed multiple individuals and collected physical evidence which is being processed. An autopsy has been performed and the results are pending as of this time. Investigators have updated the parents of the juvenile concerning the status of the investigation and will continue to do so throughout the investigation.
Anyone with information concerning this death is urged to contact Detective Jarred Spurlock of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Investigation at 337-369-3711.”
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Quawan Charles/Handout]
