A frantic search is underway after a schoolboy with special needs vanished into the ocean during a school trip.
Davoris Carter III, 14, was on an excursion with his classmates in Wildwood, New Jersey, when he disappeared after wading into the water.
The US Coast Guard responded to a call of swimmers in distress at around 1.35pm on Monday after the teenager went into the ocean fully clothed.
Carter, from Philadelphia, had been accompanied on the trip by a family member and several staff members as the children required closer supervision, according to his grandmother, Kenya Pippen.
‘Every child that went to the beach has a one-on-one because they’re special needs,’ she told ABC 6 News.
Carter’s family member had gone briefly to get food, not realizing the teenager had gone into the water with three other children who were swimming toward a flag, Pippen told the outlet.
‘As far as I know, no staff member got into the water with any of the children,’ she added, highlighting her frustration.
No lifeguards were on duty at the beach, Pippen said, adding that families had been warned of this, as is customary for the time of year.
Davoris Carter III, 14, who has special needs, was on a school trip when he disappeared after wading into the ocean on Monday. An extensive search is underway in Wildwood, New Jersey
The US Coast Guard responded to a call of swimmers in distress at around 1.35pm on Monday after the teenager went into the ocean water while still fully clothed
Carter had been accompanied on the trip by a family member and several members of staff. His grandmother, Kenya Pippen, above, said the children required closer supervision
‘There were no lifeguards present at all, and they still allowed these children with special needs to get into the water with no adults,’ Pippen added.
She said that only one grown-up waded into the water in the end, while several others were just ‘standing there.’
The adult who did wade in thought that ‘maybe [the other adults] were scared,’ according to Pippen.
‘If you’re scared of water, don’t let children in the water unsupervised, going that far our, not calling them back when they get out of your eyesight,’ she said.
The Coast Guard combed the waters around 500 yards offshore near Morey’s Piers.
Included in the efforts were helicopters and boats that scanned the ocean for hours, with the New Jersey State police assisting with drones and all-terrain vehicles on the shore, the outlet reported.
Before the Coast Guard was deployed, the Wildwood Fire Department had already started to make its way to the scene, a fire chief told ABC 6.
‘Our personnel heard it before the dispatch and were on the move,’ Ernie Troiano III said.
Wildwood Beach Patrol ALERT Team, consisting of three lifeguards, were also on duty and responded, according to the police department.
Carter’s family member had gone briefly to get food, not realizing the teenager had gone into the water with three other children who were swimming toward a flag
Before the Coast Guard was deployed, the Wildwood Fire Department had begun making its way to the scene. As emergency crews arrived, police were pulling three swimmers from the water
All that was left to find of Carter on the shore were his swim trunks, which his mother had found, Pippen said
As emergency crews arrived, police were pulling three swimmers from the water.
‘One of the patrolmen actually was escorting three individuals out at the time, was helping them out of the water as we were pulling onto the scene,’ Troiano added.
An officer helped the three swimmers out of the water; one was transported to Cooper University Cape Regional Hospital for treatment, while the other two were treated on scene, police said.
The swimmer in hospital is said to be in stable condition.
However, the strong currents made the rescue operation more difficult, he added.
‘The water was running pretty strong north to south when we went down there, so our rescue efforts were focused on that,’ he said. ‘We took into consideration the tide cycle, the way the currents were running.’
All that was left of Carter on the shore were his swim trunks, which his mother had found, Pippen said.
The boy’s grandmother said he is a ‘great’ and ‘happy kid.’
‘As much as I want to cry, I’m so angry, because I cannot believe as adults you would allow something like this to happen,’ she added.
‘I think it’s a disgrace and somebody will be held accountable, but none of this can bring back my grandson.’
Carter’s mother wrote on Facebook: ‘My baby I don’t understand and then to not call me for over a hour after you were missing and when ya did just it’s an emergency and that’s it’
The director of Delta School, Philadelphia, where Carter is a student, said the institution is devastated by his disappearance and it has been cooperative with the investigation
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‘My grandson has been missing. It’s cold here. He’s been gone for hours. He doesn’t deserve this. He’s just a kid. He was supposed to graduate on Wednesday.’
Carter’s mother wrote on Facebook: ‘My baby I don’t understand and then to not call me for over a hour after you were missing and when ya did just it’s an emergency and that’s it.’
‘Then Drive back to Philly before I could arrive and heard nothing sense. I’m so sick of the negligence of these schools. I just need to be able to lay you to rest my boy. Just got accepted to rowing camp and Police explorers in a few weeks,’ she added.
Carter’s father, Davoris Carter, told NBC News: ‘This is like a dream. No, better yet, it’s like a nightmare.
‘My son went somewhere with a school. With chaperones. And these so-called chaperones, at this time, with special needs children, should’ve been paying attention.’
‘My son should not have been in that water, or them kids, without supervision. Did you see how them waves was yesterday? Nobody should’ve been in that water. But then it says no lifeguards on weekdays. Why are you on the beach with special needs kids,’ he added.
According to the outlet, Carter is a student at Delta School in Philadelphia.
Its director told the outlet that the institution is devastated by Carter’s disappearance and that it has been cooperative with the ongoing investigation.
Included in the efforts were helicopters and boats that scanned the ocean for hours, with the New Jersey State police assisting with drones and all-terrain vehicles on the shore
Wildwood Fire Department Chief Ernie Troiano has warned other beachgoers to remain cautious and vigilant when lifeguards are not on duty
The director added that the trip was ‘appropriately supervised with the right number of staff members,’ consisting of six staff members and six children, according to NBC.
Meanwhile, Troiano has warned other beachgoers to remain cautious and vigilant when lifeguards are not on duty.
‘Please do not swim when the beaches are not guarded,’ he told the outlet.
The Daily Mail reached out to Carter’s mother, Delta School, the Wildwood Fire Department, the Wildwood Beach Patrol, the US Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police for comment.
