Schoolboy, 14, with special needs vanishes into ocean during class trip to New Jersey beach resort

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:24, 2 June 2026 | Updated: 21:24, 2 June 2026 A schoolboy from Philadelphia vanished suddenly into the ocean during a school trip to New Jersey as a frantic search for the special needs student remains underway.  Davoris Carter III, 14, was on a trip to Wildwood with his classmates when he disappeared after wading into the ocean, prompting an extensive searched was launched. The US Coast Guard responded to a call of swimmers in distress at around 1.35pm on Monday after the teen had gone into the ocean water fully clothed. Carter had been accompanied on the trip by a family member and several members of staff as the children required closer supervision, according to his grandmother, Kenya Pippen. 'Every child that went to the beach has a one-on-one because they're special needs,' she told ABC 6 News.  Carter's family member had gone briefly to get food, not realizing the teen had gone into the water with three other children who were swimming toward a flag, Pippen told the outlet.  'As far as I know, no staff member got into the water with any of the children,' she added, highlighting her frustration.  No lifeguards were on duty at the beach, Pippen said, which she added that families had been warned of as is customary for the time of year.  Davoris Carter III, 14, was on a school trip to Wildwood when he disappeared after wading into the ocean with his classmates, who attended a special needs school, as an extensive searched was launched The US Coast Guard responded to a call of swimmers in distress at around 1.35pm on Monday after the teen had gone into the ocean water while still fully clothed Carter had been accompanied on the trip by a family member and several members of staff, as his grandmother, Kenya Pippen seen above, said the children required closer supervision 'There were no lifeguards present at all, and they still allowed these children with special needs to get into the water with no adults,' Pippen added.  She said that only one adult waded into the water in the end, while several others were just 'standing there.' The adult that did wade in thought that 'maybe [the other adults] were scared,' according to Pippen. 'If you're scared of water, don't let children in the water unsupervised, going that far our, not calling them back when they get out of your eyesight,' she said. The Coast Guard combed the waters around 500 yards offshore near Morey's Piers.  Included in the efforts were helicopters and boats who scanned the ocean for hours, with the New Jersey State police assisting with drones and all-terrain vehicles on the shore, the outlet reported.  Before the Coast Guard were deployed, Wildwood Fire Department had already started to make their way to the scene, Fire Chief Ernie Troiano III told ABC 6.  'Our personnel heard it before the dispatch and were on the move,' he said. Wildwood Beach Patrol ALERT Team, consisting of three lifeguards, were also on duty and responded, according to the Wildwood Police Department. Carter's family member had gone briefly to get food, not realizing the teen had gone into the water with three other children who were swimming toward a flag Before the Coast Guard were deployed, Wildwood Fire Department had begun making their way to the scene. As emergency crews arrived, police were pulling three swimmers from the water All that was left to find of Carter on the shore were his swim trunks, which his mother had found, Pippen said As emergency crews arrived, police were pulling three swimmers from the water.  'One of the patrolmen actually was escorting three individuals out at the tie, was helping them out of the water as were pulling onto the scene,' Troiano added.  An officer helped the three swimmers from the waters, one was transported to Cooper University Cape Regional Hospital for treatment while the other two were treated on scene, police said.  The swimmer in hospital is said to be in stable condition.   However, the strong currents made the rescue operation more difficult, he added.  'The water was running pretty strong north to south when we went down there, so our rescue efforts were focused on that,' he said. 'We took into consideration the tide cycle, they way the currents were running.' All that was left to find of Carter on the shore were his swim trunks, which his mother had found, Pippen said.  The boy's grandmother said he is a 'great' and 'happy kid.' 'As much as I want to cry, I'm so angry, because I cannot believe as adults you would allow something like this to happen,' she added.  'I think it's a disgrace and somebody will be held accountable, but none of this can bring back my grandson.' Carter's mother wrote on Facebook: 'My baby I don’t understand and then to not call me for over a hour after you were missing and when ya did just it’s an emergency and that’s it' The director of Delta School, Philadelphia, where Carter attended school, said the school is devastated by Carter's disappearance and they have been cooperative with the investigation 'My grandson has been missing. It's cold here. He's been gone for hours. He doesn't deserve this. He's just a kid. He was supposed to graduate on Wednesday.' Carter's mother wrote on Facebook: 'My baby I don’t understand and then to not call me for over a hour after you were missing and when ya did just it’s an emergency and that’s it.' 'Then Drive back to Philly before I could arrive and heard nothing sense. I’m so sick of the negligence of these schools. I just need to be able to lay you to rest my boy. Just got accepted to rowing camp and Police explorers in a few weeks,' she added.  Carter's father, Davoris Carter, told NBC News: 'This is like a dream. No, better yet, it's like a nightmare.  'My son went somewhere with a school. With chaperones. And these so-called chaperones, at this time, with special needs children, should've been paying attention.' 'My son should not have been in that water, or them kids, without supervision. Did you see how them waves was yesterday? Nobody should've been in that water. But then it says no lifeguards on weekdays. Why are you on the beach with special needs kids,' he added.  According to the outlet, Carter was a student at Delta School in Philadelphia.  The school's director told the outlet that the school is truly devastated by Carter's disappearance and that they have been cooperative with the ongoing investigation. Included in the efforts were helicopters and boats who scanned the ocean for hours, with the New Jersey State police assisting with drones and all-terrain vehicles on the shore Wildwood Fire Department Chief Ernie Troiano has warned other beachgoers to remain cautious and vigilant when lifeguards are not on duty The director added that the trip was 'appropriately supervised with the right number of staff members,' consisting of six staff members and six children, according to NBC.   Meanwhile, Troiano has warned other beachgoers to remain cautious and vigilant when lifeguards are not on duty.  'Please do not swim when the beaches are not guarded,' he told the outlet.  The Daily Mail reached out to Carter's mother, Delta School, the Wildwood Fire Department, the Wildwood Beach Patrol, the US Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police for comment. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. 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