A 14-year-old special needs student from Philadelphia vanished into the ocean during a school trip to Wildwood, New Jersey, prompting a frantic search. Davoris Carter III, a student at Delta School, went missing after wading into the water fully clothed around 1:35 p.m. on Monday.
Search and rescue efforts
The U.S. Coast Guard responded to reports of swimmers in distress. Helicopters and boats combed the waters about 500 yards offshore near Morey's Piers. New Jersey State Police assisted with drones and all-terrain vehicles. The Wildwood Fire Department and Beach Patrol ALERT Team also responded. Three swimmers were pulled from the water; one was hospitalized in stable condition, and two were treated on scene. Strong currents hampered the rescue.
Family's frustration
Carter's grandmother, Kenya Pippen, expressed anger that no lifeguards were on duty and that staff allowed children in the water unsupervised. 'There were no lifeguards present at all, and they still allowed these children with special needs to get into the water with no adults,' she said. She noted that only one adult eventually waded in. Carter's mother found his swim trunks on the shore. 'My baby I don't understand and then to not call me for over an hour,' she wrote on Facebook. His father called it a 'nightmare' and questioned supervision.
School's response
Delta School's director said the school is devastated and cooperating with the investigation, stating the trip was 'appropriately supervised' with six staff for six children. Wildwood Fire Chief Ernie Troiano warned beachgoers not to swim when beaches are unguarded.
