Just four years after the “hug felt ‘round the world” captured the hearts of millions in the wake of the grand jury’s decision not to charge a white officer with the murder of #MichaelBrown, the young boy pictured in the viral photo is now missing.
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According to NBC News, 15-year-old Devonte Hart, and his two sisters have now become part of a mysterious tragedy in the three days since their parents’ SUV drove off a Mendocino County cliff in Northern California.
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Officials say the 2003 GMC SUV was on Highway 1 before it plunged off the cliff, leaving Hart’s parents and three siblings dead. However, since the tragedy, the bodies of the 15-year-old and his two other sisters, Hannah, 16 and Sierra, 12, have not been located, though officials do believe they were inside the SUV at the time of the crash.
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“We have no evidence and no reason to believe that this was an intentional act,” Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman said on Wednesday, as he revealed “there were no skid marks, there were no brake marks” at the turnout.
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While it remains unclear why the Woodland, Washington, family was in California, officials believe they had taken a temporary trip, as their home was still filled with family belongings. In addition, neighbors say the family had a few issues, despite the fact that Harts “loved their kids more than anything else.” According to a few witnesses, the couple’s adoptive children, including Hart, would ask for food and mention abuse. In fact, Child Protective services even made a visit to the home, but no one answered the door.
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But, it still remains unclear why the family left for a road trip.
Boy in Viral Hug Photo Missing After Family’s Car Plunges Off California Cliff
