[Death of Quawan “Bobby” Charles]
ACLU\Alanah Odoms Hebert: “The disrespect and lack of transparency demonstrated by local officials in response to Bobby’s tragic and suspicious death is unacceptable.”
Photo: Twitter
The ACLU of Louisiana has demanded a full, independent investigation into the death of 15-year-old Quawan “Bobby” Charles, who was found dead under suspicious circumstances in St. Mary Parish on Nov. 3, after having been reported missing since Oct. 30.
Local law enforcement officials were slow to notify Quawan’s family about his death, and have consistently failed to provide information to the family, including the coroner’s autopsy report.
“The disrespect and lack of transparency demonstrated by local officials in response to Bobby’s tragic and suspicious death is unacceptable,” said Alanah Odoms Hebert, ACLU of Louisiana executive director.
“We join the family in demanding a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Bobby’s death. This family is grieving and deserves answers – not disrespect and stonewalling. We send our deepest condolences to Bobby’s family during this terrible time, and will continue to stand in solidarity with them and all those demanding justice.”
A graphic photo of Bobby, and video, can be seen here.
Editor’s Note: The horrific nature of the death of Quawan “Bobby” Charles requires a more concerned response from law enforcement officials, politicians–and corporate media outlets–than what we have seen so far. If the situation was reverse, and Bobby was white, this case would’ve already been a national headline story.
There are many questions in this case that the Black Star News will be asking more of, as we continue to follow this horrible story–which has been rightly compared to the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till. The disfiguration of Bobby’s face signals that his death wasn’t an accident.
For one thing, we would like to know what the account is of the white adult female who took this 15-year-old (reportedly, without parental consent) from his home? According to Bobby’s family, law enforcement has given them little information regarding Bobby’s death.
This is an intolerable outrage.
The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Baldwin Police Department owe it to Bobby Charles’ family, and to the general public, to be fully transparent regarding this investigation, assuming we can call what is going on now an investigation.
