On what would have been his 16th birthday, the family of Carson Crimeni reminded 91原创 that there have still been no charges related to the death of the young boy almost two years ago.
鈥淚t is really frustrating, two years is a long time,鈥� said Darrel Crimeni, Carson鈥檚 grandfather.
Family and friends gathered at the Walnut Grove skate park where he was found and put up a banner reading Justice for Carson.
鈥淚 have a hard time understanding why this has taken so long,鈥� said Carson鈥檚 father, Aron Crimeni.
As far as the family knows, the 91原创 RCMP have concluded their investigation into the summer 2019 incident and sent their information to the B.C. Prosecution Service. In B.C., only the Crown prosecutors can lay criminal charges and star the process of a trial.
On Aug. 7, 2019, Carson was found in severe medical distress in a park near Walnut Grove Secondary and the Walnut Grove Recreation Centre.
Despite attempts by police, firefighters, and BC Ambulance paramedics to revive him, Carson died later that night in hospital of an apparent drug overdose.
Video clips posted to social media showed the 91原创 teen was barely able to stand or speak earlier that day at the Walnut Grove skate park, while people could be heard laughing.
His family believes he was given a huge amount of drugs by older youths who preyed on the 鈥済regarious amd trusting鈥� Carson.
Carson had ADHD and was had some awkwardness in school, his father said.
鈥淗e believed these boys were his friends, and all he wanted to do was make friends,鈥� Aron said.
Carson鈥檚 family believes peer pressure and even force feeding led to the young boy having a lethal dose of drugs in his system.
The family has not heard much about when charges might be laid.
鈥淭hey continue to tell us that they鈥檙e working on it,鈥� Aron said.
He said he wanted the Crown prosecutors to understand that this delay is sending a message.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e sending out a message that this is acceptable behaviour,鈥� he said.
The 91原创 RCMP had earlier said that they expected charges might be laid as early as last September.
The family鈥檚 Justice For Carson sign will likely only be up at the skate park for a few days, until the Township removes it, Darrel said.
But the week of July 2, someone put up a professionally-printed Justice for Carson sign on the 200th Street overpass.
The Crimeni family doesn鈥檛 know who put it up, Darrel said, but they鈥檙e grateful.
Have a story tip? Email: matthew.claxton@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on and follow us on .
