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A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of New Jersey as a young teen, known for his cheerful disposition, went missing while on a school trip just days before his graduation. The 14-year-old, Davoris Carter, vanished on a Monday afternoon while swimming near Wildwood, leaving his family and community in shock.
According to reports from WABC, Davoris had entered the water, but his swim shorts were later discovered abandoned on the sand by his mother. The circumstances surrounding why he ventured into the water remain unclear. At the time, Davoris was accompanied by a family member who had momentarily left the beach to get food, as recounted by his grandmother, Kenya Pippen.
Pippen explained that four children were seen swimming towards a flag in the water. However, she expressed concern, noting that “as far as I know, no staff member got into the water with any of the children.” This lack of supervision was particularly alarming given that the children involved had special needs.
Adding to the family’s distress was the absence of lifeguards at that particular stretch of beach, a baffling oversight considering the vulnerability of the special needs group. This tragic event has left many questioning the safety protocols in place during such school outings.
Pippen claimed there were no lifeguards at the stretch of beach – something which baffled her as the kids had special needs.
“There were no lifeguards present at all, and they still allowed these children with special needs to get into the water with no adults,” she said.
And Carter was fully-clothed when he ventured into the water.
First responders rushed to the scene just after 1:35 p.m. after receiving reports of swimmers in distress.
One cop helped three swimmers to safety just as fire crews were arriving, according to Ernie Troiano, the Wildwood Fire Department chief, said.
They were identified as two juveniles and a 19-year-old, who was hospitalized.
But the rescue was hindered by strong currents.
“The water was running pretty strong north to south when we went down there, so our rescue efforts were focused on that,” Troiano said.
“We took into consideration the tide cycle, the way the currents were running.”
US Coast Guard officials combed waters around 500 yards near the theme park Morey’s Piers – and helicopters and drones were deployed.
New Jersey cops drove ATVs across the shore in a bid to find the missing teen, described by his grandmother as a “great kid” and a “happy kid.”
“He’s just a kid. He was supposed to graduate on Wednesday,” she said.