Six teenagers, ages seven to seventeen, have been detained after a buddy drowned in a Georgia pond, Columbus police said.
Zahmere Greene, 15, was discovered dead in a retention pond along the Chattahoochee River on May 29, although authorities believe he drowned on May 23, and his death was unreported for nearly a week. Investigators believe the children involved witnessed his death.
According to authorities, an anonymous 11-year-old boy has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and concealing another’s death. That boy is being housed in the Regional Youth Detention Center.
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Authorities have not stated what caused the boy’s death. Greene’s aunt, Rhea Vinson, told The Independent that her nephew had “a very vibrant spirit” and was “the most positive person in the room.”
“He was my brother’s sole biological son, and he resembled his twin… “He enjoyed dancing, singing, and making music,” Vinson told The Independent.
The South Columbus Public Library paid tribute to Greene with a post.
“Today, we honor the life of one of our young patrons, Zahmere Greene,” the page stated on June 1. “We have just learned of his tragic passing and are so saddened by this news.”
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“Zahmere loved to come to the library and hang out with our staff,” the message adds. “He was a joy to be around, always had a smile on his face, and he loved talking about his future career goals although they changed every week.” In connection with the case, police detained Shane Sano, 17, on suspicion of concealing a death. Sano is deemed an adult under Georgia state law and is being held in the Muscogee County Jail.
Two eleven-year-olds, a twelve-year-old, and a nine-year-old were also charged with concealing a death. The four witnesses charged are now with their parents, according to independent.co.uk.