Sheriff Demings still won't tell mom how her son died
Cadillya Anthony has one simple question for Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings?
Ms. Anthony wants Sheriff Demings -- now running for election to become the next Orange County Mayor -- to explain what happened to her 18-year-old son.
CJ’s body was recovered from West Orange County’s Lake Sherwood after he was chased on foot in the dark by 10 deputies, three police dogs, and a police helicopter.
It’s noteworthy that CJ had no criminal record; was an honor roll student (and a math whiz) at Evans High School. An autopsy showed that he had no illegal drugs in his body. Had CJ not died, he would have graduated from Evans this past May and would be preparing to attend college to major in math or engineering.
CJ had never been in trouble with the police, and Ms. Anthony said her son was deathly afraid that police would kill him. Turns out he was right.
The deputies chased CJ and two other teenagers because they suspected them of breaking into a car in an apartment complex. The two other teens – one of them 18 -- were quickly captured.
CJ -- who ran track and played football -- got away. The deputies cornered him in the dark at Lake Sherwood when they said they saw him struggling in the water.
Months later, the State Attorney’s Office, dropped charges against the 18-year old arrested during the encounter. In the file, a prosecutor wrote: “This case is not suitable for prosecution.”
Days after her son’s death, Ms. Anthony went to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office headquarters to speak to detectives to find out how and why her son died.
The detective in charge of the case said he was out of the office, but he promised that either he or one of his colleagues would meet with the family.
That meeting never occurred, though a sheriff’s office spokesman claimed that it did.
“That’s a damn lie,” Ms. Anthony said.
The Sheriff’s Office official report proves that Ms. Anthony is correct. Every encounter sheriff’s deputies had with the family before CJ’s body was found, the deputies detailed the time, location and what was said during those meetings.
The final report provides no information regarding Ms. Anthony’s requested meeting.
Ms. Anthony is bitterly disappointed with Sheriff Demings as a black man and as Orange County’s top law enforcement officer.
If she had a chance to speak with Sheriff Demings, Ms. Anthony said, “I would look him in his eyes and ask him how he could allow such a tragedy to happen under his leadership. No follow up. No investigation.”
“It leads me to believe they just don’t care,” Ms. Anthony said.
CJ’s life will be celebrated by his family and friends, 7 p.m. this Saturday (June 23) at Lake Sherwood. Lake Sherwood is next to the Lowe’s store on State Road 50 and Good Homes Road.
See related videos on this case by clicking these links:
Friends say CJ’s death was a lynching
CJ’s mom seeks an explanation from Sheriff Demings
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