Parents Of Teen Killed By Falling Tahoe Tree Say Story Doesn't Add Up
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (CBS13) - A teenage boy went missing after last week's storm, and now police believe he died after a 50-foot-tall tree fell on him.
CBS13 spoke to the boy's parents who don't believe that theory.
The teen's body was found behind the 3400 block of Rancho Way in South Lake Tahoe. And right at the site, family and friends have started a memorial for him.
"No parent should have to witness their child passing before them," said Deshawn Smith, the teen's father.
Life will never be the same for the Smiths. Their 14-year-old son, Dejon, was found dead on Saturday after he was missing for three days.
"He was just a sweet, funny -- helpful little boy," said Taneka Smith, Dejon's mother.
His parents tell us the teen left the house with friends last Thursday -- the day the area was hit by a strong winter storm. But he never came home, and they started to worry.
"I said my baby is dead in the woods, everyone said don't think like that...I knew it my heart," said Taneka.
They filed a missing persons report and began searching for the teen on their own. It wasn't until Saturday, that they found his body lying under a tree.
"I had my phone in my hand and I couldn't even call 911, I just started screaming for help," said Deshawn.
Police say they followed up with all possible leads, and a witness told the department he or she parted ways with the teen in the wooded area. In a press release, South Lake Tahoe police say: "The initial investigation suggests the juvenile was struck by a large (50') falling tree during the severe storm..."
But the Smiths say the story doesn't add up. And police say the investigation is ongoing.
"I just hope we get some justice for our son, hopefully we find out what happened," said Taneka.
And for family and friends who are mourning the loss of Dejon, there are still a lot of questions.
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