Manslaughter charge laid in case of B.C. 14-year-old's apparent overdose death
Sept. 17 update: Carson Crimeni's father explains how he hopes the case will help other teens in the future.
VANCOUVER -- More than two years after the death of a B.C. teenager, a charge has been approved against someone who was a minor at the time.
Mounties in Langley announced Thursday that a man who is now 20 years old has been charged with manslaughter in the death of Carson Crimeni.
The identity of the accused has not been released, as he was a youth at the time of the 14-year-old's death. Police say a warrant for his arrest was issued by the B.C. Provincial Court.
The accused then turned himself in, when he found out there was a warrant, the Langley RCMP said. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 20.
Crimeni died in August 2019 of an apparent overdose. According to his family, the autopsy on the boy's body found no obvious cause of death, and toxicology testing was ordered to determine what happened.
The results of that testing have not been made public.
His family members believe he died as a result of peer pressure from other teenagers. They say the other teens pressured Crimeni to take the drugs that led to his overdose at the Walnut Grove skate park.
Police did not provide any further details on what led to the arrest, including what role the accused is alleged to have played in Crimeni's death, beyond the charge itself.
The RCMP said there is a publication ban in place limiting the amount of information that can be released.
The teen's family spoke to CTV News earlier this year, as the two-year anniversary approached, and expressed their frustration that time at the lack of charges.
Crimeni's father said it gave the appearance that the legal system thought, "a child with a lethal amount of drugs is acceptable."
Even at the teen's funeral, an event attended by a large crowd of people who knew the boy, his father and other family members spoke about peer pressure and condemned those who'd been with Crimeni that night.
His sister described him as a good kid who was eager to impress.
"(He was) just trying to fit in and have friends who loved him," she said at his funeral, of her brother's final moments. Speaking to Crimeni, she said she hoped he could see how many people attended – evidence of how many people did love him.
Crimeni was found in the park the day he died after a video was posted to the social media app SnapChat, which appeared to show him in medical distress. Someone who saw the clip called police.
Two officers went to the park, but couldn't find the teen and left. He was found two hours later and rushed to hospital, where he died.
B.C.'s police watchdog was tasked at the time with investigating police actions, but determined the officers were not negligent, and no charges were recommended.
In the days after Crimeni's death, a recovered addict and advocate told CTV News the death was a reminder for parents to talk to their kids, and let them know that what they see online or hear from peers may not be true.
Guy Felicella's advice to parents was to avoid pointed questions, which could be seen as accusations or could end the discussion. Instead, he recommended parents and guardians approach the topic as part of a general conversation, as a way of assessing a child or teen's knowledge and experience.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.