Current:Home > Stocks6 minors charged in 15-year-old boy's drowning death in Georgia -FundMaster
6 minors charged in 15-year-old boy's drowning death in Georgia
View
Date:2025-04-26 10:41:14
Six children, including a 9-year-old, have been criminally charged in connection to last month's drowning death of a 15-year-old boy, police in Georgia announced Thursday.
The teen's death took place late last month in Columbus, a city about 115 miles southwest of Atlanta, not far from the Alabama state line.
According to the Columbus Georgia Police Department just before 2:30 p.m. on May 29, officers responded to a report of a body floating in a retention pond near a set of fields behind a residential neighborhood in the city's Oakland Park neighborhood.
Police identified the victim as Zahmere Greene, 15.
Preliminary findings by the departments Violent Crimes Unit revealed Zahmere drowned on May 23, but the incident wasn’t reported until six days later.
'Loaded or unloaded?'14-year-old boy charged in fatal shooting of 12-year-old girl in Pennsylvania
Coroner ruled Zahmere Greene's death a homicide
The Muscogee County Coroner's Office conducted an autopsy and a medical examiner ruled Zahmere's manner of death a homicide, police spokesperson Brittany Santiago told USA TODAY Friday.
Further investigation, police reported, revealed six juveniles witnessed the boy's drowning, one − an 11-year-old boy − who was on top of the victim when he died.
Six juveniles, ages 9-17 charged in Zahmere Greene's death
According to police, the following juveniles are charged in the case:
- A 17-year-old boy: Concealing the death of another;
- A 12-year-old girl: Concealing the death of another;
- An 11-year-old boy: Involuntary manslaughter and concealing the death of another;
- An 11-year-old girl: Concealing the death of another;
- An 11-year-old girl: Concealing the death of another;
- A 9-year-old boy: Concealing the death of another.
Plane makes emergency landing:8-year-old girl dies from medical emergency on SkyWest Airlines flight to Chicago
11-year-old was reportedly on top of the victim
According to police, the 11-year-old boy charged with involuntary manslaughter, was reportedly on top of the victim before he died.
On Friday, police said, the 11-year-old boy was being held in the Regional Youth Detention Center.
Santiago said that boy and the victim knew one another, and it is believed the children were all enrolled in the Muscogee County School District.
USA TODAY had reached out the the school district.
17-year-old boy charged as adult in case
The 17-year-old boy − the older brother of one of the females charged in the case − recently turned himself in on the charges, Santiago said, was arrested and booked into the Muscogee County Jail.
The teen is being prosecuted in adult court and on June 7, the day of his arrest, a judge bound his case over to Muscogee County Superior Court after finding probable cause in the case.
Online records show the 17-year-old boy was free after posting a $1,500 bond on Tuesday. Online records did not have an attorney listed for the teen.
The other four juveniles were processed, charged and released to their parents, Santiago said.
"The Columbus Police Department emphasizes the importance of parents encouraging their children to speak up immediately when they know something is wrong," the department posted on its Facebook page. "The principle of “see something, say something” is vital in helping prevent tragedies and ensuring the safety of our community."
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Brooklyn Peltz Beckham Debuts Massive Tattoo Portrait of Wife Nicola Peltz Beckham
- In a Sheep to Shawl competition, you have 5 people, 1 sheep, and 3 hours — good luck!
- Parkinson's 'made me present in every moment of my life,' says Michael J. Fox
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- U.S. citizen killed in West Bank amid escalating Mideast violence
- 'Sunshine' centers on a life-changing summer for author Jarrett J. Krosoczka
- Police search landfill after Abby Choi, Hong Kong model, found dismembered
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- How U.S., Afghan governments failed to adequately train Afghan security forces after spending $90 billion over 20 years
Ranking
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Supreme Court sides against Andy Warhol Foundation in copyright infringement case
- Alec Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in Rust Shooting of Halyna Hutchins
- CIA confirms possibility of Chinese lethal aid to Russia
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Weird Al on accordions, bathrooms, and getting turned down by Prince
- Amanda Seyfried Recalls How Blake Lively Almost Played Karen in Mean Girls
- Becky G Reveals How Fiancé Sebastian Lletget Challenges Her in the Best Way
Recommendation
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Apple Music Classical aims to reach music lovers the streaming revolution left behind
Here are all the best looks from the Met Gala 2023
For May the 4th, Carrie Fisher of 'Star Wars' gets a Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Small twin
Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval Calls Lala Kent a Bully Who Needs a Hobby as Feud Heats Up
'House of Cotton' is a bizarre, uncomfortable read — in the best way possible
Food blogging reminds me of what I'm capable of and how my heritage is my own