Quawan Charles’ family demands justice, urges case review

NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) – The family of Quawan Charles, 15, of Baldwin, is calling for the investigation into his death to be reopened.

On Saturday, Quawan Charles’ cousin, Celina Charles, and Quawan’s father, Kenneth Jacko, stood side by side in front of the Iberia Parish courthouse, demanding justice. Quawan’s mother did not attend, as Celina says it was too hurtful for her.

The press conference comes after KLFY Anchor Britt Lofaso uncovered new video evidence relating to Quawan’s death investigation, in her new KLFY Plus show, Cajun Case Files.

Quawan Charles’ family calls for new investigation, organizes protest in response to video uncovered by KLFY

Video obtained exclusively by KLFY’s Britt Lofaso shows a person walking behind a line of trees in a sugarcane field. Quawan’s cousin, Celina Charles, says the video does not prove Quawan was alone when he died.

“On that particular video, it doesn’t show Quawan Charles, and our family is just seeing that video for the first time since 2020. We have been asking and begging for that video since November of 2020,” Celina Charles said. “It was just released a few days ago from KLFY from Britt Lofaso, who had done an investigation on it.”

Celina says her family feels they have been misled by the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, who investigated Quawan’s death. His death was initially investigated as a homicide, however, a forensic pathologist later ruled Quawan’s manner of death as ‘undetermined’.

“Sheriff Tommy Romero lied to the public and to Quawan’s family. The video footage he’s referenced for years does not show Quawan walking alone in the field, where he was found. Why was the public misled? Where is the real footage? Why did it take outside media to reveal the truth?” Celina added.

Celina says her family is now working on getting Quawan’s body exhumed for a third autopsy. She wants another forensic pathologist to review the facts of the case. She is also calling for the resignation of Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero.

“The time now is for justice. We’re done. We’re done with fighting. We’re done with begging. We’re done with waiting. We want justice for Quawan,” Celina said.

“Everybody has seen that video that was released from KLFY. It shows nothing to prove that that was Quawan. I would like to know how Tommy Romero says that that was Quawan walking.” Celina added. “He misled the family.”

Celina claims the sheriff’s office told her family something was wrong with the equipment when they asked to see the video, back in 2020.

You can watch the full investigation into Quawan Charles death on the KLFY Plus exclusive show, Cajun Case Files, hosted by Britt Lofaso. You can download KLFY Plus on any
Smart TV.