Rumors and accusations surround South Lake Tahoe boy's death
Submitted by paula on Wed, 12/17/2014 - 6:09pm
Unless you're not connected to social media or watching television news in the region you have most likely heard of accusations of racism on the part of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) in their handling of the Dejon Smith missing person and subsequent death case. This claim and other rumors circulating around the case were discussed today with SLTPD Lt. Brian Williams who spoke to South Tahoe Now about the case
"It appears that the police department did in fact follow appropriate procedure throughout the course of the investigation," Williams said. "Grace and understanding must obviously be extended to a grieving family who may believe that something must have been done incorrectly based upon the tragic loss they are suffering."
Dejon Smith is the 14-year old South Tahoe High freshman who went missing Thursday evening, and who's body was found under a fallen tree on Saturday afternoon.
Williams said that nothing based on the information they received at the beginning of the case would have led them to believe Smith was anything but a teen who didn't come home. Williams went on to say that the teen had taken off before so what happened on Thursday night was not unusual.
SLTPD was contacted 12 hours after Smith was considered missing. The police department followed protocol based on the information they received according to Williams.
"More than one search effort was undertaken by police officers to find the victim," Williams went on to say. "One of these search efforts included our calling the boy’s father to help contribute with the search based upon information an officer had developed from a potential witness. The activities and company of our victim during the time frame of the tree falling at this location are still under investigation."
Williams said there have been a lot of rumors about Smith's cause of death and that thus far the investigation does not support any foul play. SLTPD Detective Jeff Roberson was in Sacramento today for Smith's autopsy. He is driving back to South Lake Tahoe and the police will review the findings. Those results will not be released to the public until they have first spoken to the Smith family, which they expect to on Thursday afternoon.
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