The "preliminary findings" from the Iberia Parish Coroner's Office say that 15-year-old Quawan Charles of Baldwin likely died from drowning.
The report on Charles' death released Friday says that contributing factors in the determination of that cause included the following: muddy water in Charles' airways, hyper inflated lungs, and water in sphenoid sinuses.
The coroner's office states there were no "ante mortem" injuries or injures before he died. They also noted the lacerations found on Charles were due to the autopsy procedure. Other injuries on Charles, they say, happened after he died and were likely from aquatic animal activity from where Charles' body was found.
A manner of death has not been determined pending final autopsy, toxicology and investigation by law enforcement, they say.
The family of Quawan Charles has stated that they believe foul play was a factor in his death. A picture of Charles after death has been shared on social media causing concerns about the investigation into his death. Read more here
An independent autopsy will also be conducted.
KATC recently obtained police reports from Oct. 30 when Charles was reported missing from his home in Baldwin and was found dead four days later near Loreauville. For more on the emerging details, click here.
Since Quawan's disappearance, many are wondering why an Amber Alert hadn't been issued. Louisiana State Police tell us they weren't notified about the case, and it's an agency's decision if the missing person meets the criteria for an Amber Alert.
Among the criteria, officers must believe the missing person is in danger and have specific information about the alleged abduction and their vehicle.
"The premise behind it is, send it out with very detailed information," explained LSP Troop I Public Information Officer Tpr. Thomas Gossen. "As people are around, walking around, driving around, they'll see a car that fits the description and call it in. A lot of people misunderstand what the Amber Alert is. There's very specific information that it needs to meet."
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