Teens Mocked, Recorded Man Drowning In Florida But Didn't Help

COCOA, FL — A group of teens who recorded and mocked a disabled man as he drowned in Florida will not be facing charges for failing to render aid, according to the Brevard State Attorney's Office. Shocking video released to Florida Today by the State Attorney shows the teens did nothing as the man drowned and spoke casually about the fact that he was going to die.

According to Cocoa police, the body of Jamel Dunn, 31, was found July 14 in a pond. A passerby reported a body floating at the edge of the water, and police said the body appeared to have been there for several days. Dunn's fiancé had reported him missing July 12 and he was last seen July 9.

Florida Today reports that the video made its way to social media before it was turned over to the authorities. A spokesman for the state attorney's office said in an emailed statement to Patch that the office was asked to make a preliminary review of the video regarding any potential charges for failure to provide aid.

"Unfortunately, there is currently no statute in Florida that compels an individual to render, request or seek aid for a person in distress," the statement said. "We are, however, continuing the research whether any other statute may apply to the facts of this case. We have requested that the Cocoa Police Department forward their complete case file to us upon completion of their investigation so that we can make a final determination."

A representative for the state attorney's office said the office had no further comment on the video and that the office could not release the video to Patch via email.

At a press conference Friday, Cocoa Police Chief Michael Cantaloupe said police were recommending misdemeanor charges against the teens. Yvonne Martinez, a spokeswoman for Cocoa Police, told Patch via email that the department is moving forward with criminal charges under a Florida statute that says a person has a duty to report a death. Martinez said the charge is a misdemeanor and the state attorney's office will have to review and make a final determination of whether the charges will be filed.

"I think that's really kind of what this comes down to, it's a moral issue," Cantaloupe told reporters Friday. He also discussed measures local authorities have taken to work with juveniles in the area and build morals.

"I would like to see something that when there is a horrific case or something of this magnitude that there would be some sort of legislation or some sort of law that would require the reporting to law enforcement or to somebody," Cantaloupe said.

He added that it was surprising that there wasn't any current law that would cover a situation like the one that unfolded in the video. He said the video was both hard to watch and hard to listen to.

Asked if the teens are tried and convicted on the misdemeanor charges whether Cantaloupe would consider that a just outcome he said that he didn't think there is any just outcome to this.

"There is nothing that's going to replace somebody's life," Cantaloupe said. He added that working on issues that fall into this situation like working with juveniles, working on mental health and other issues like family involvement would be the huge win from the tragic situation.

Simone Scott, a woman who identified herself as Dunn's sister, shared the video on Facebook. She wrote that the teens didn't have to help Dunn but they should have called 911. She encouraged people to share the video she posted publicly on Facebook.

Scott also started a GoFundMe page for Dunn to cover his funeral arrangements. The page states that Dunn leaves behind two daughters, aged 6 and 11.

"Get out of the water, you're gonna die," one of the teens is heard saying in the video, audio of which was posted by Florida Today.

"We're not gonna help your ass," another teen says. "Ain't nobody gonna help you, you dumb (expletive), should have never got in there."

"Bro, are you scared to see a dead person?" one of the teens asks another.

Throughout the video, the teens are heard laughing at the prospect that the man will die.

You can listen to the full audio that was extracted from the video shared by Dunn's sister below. (WARNING: The audio contains disturbing and graphic language and may be hard to listen to for some.)

According to a police report, Dunn walked with a limp due to an old gunshot wound.

The teens, aged 14 to 16, were interviewed by detectives. Cantaloupe said Friday that at least two of the teens showed no remorse when they were interviewed by detectives while two others did. The names of the teens are not being released as the investigation is continuing. Cantaloupe said it was his understanding that the parents of the teens were both disturbed and concerned.

A Change.org petition asking for a Good Samaritan Law to be put in place has gathered over 5,000 signatures as of late Friday evening.

Asked whether the teens might have saved Dunn's life had they chosen to take some action, "Yeah," Cantaloupe replied after a long sigh. "There's always a chance."

Image via GoFundMe