GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. – A Glynn County teenager is recovering in an intensive care unit after an apparent case of hazing.
The teen was dropped off unconscious at the emergency room on Tuesday. Investigators said he had a mixture of drugs and alcohol in his system.
A GoFundMe account created to help Trent Lehrkamp with medical bills said the teen was subjected to torture, humiliation and abuse.
Originally, News4JAX chose not to identify him by name, but because family and law enforcement have publicly shared his name, we’ve added that information.
According to the Glynn County Police Department, the incident started at a house party on St. Simons Island Tuesday night. The 19-year-old was brought to the emergency room by three other teens who left before police arrived.
No arrests have been made.
The GoFundMe said doctors initially placed the teen on a ventilator because he was only passing six breaths a minute.
The site gave an update on his condition Sunday night that said he is awake and stable but still battling a lung infection. It also stated that he is very panicked and anxious.
A prayer vigil was organized by Theawanza Brooks, who said the community is outraged over this incident, to show her support for the teen and his family.
“Anytime there’s any horrific situation that happens in any community that’s an opportunity for the community to come together and not only just be a part of something that’s supportive but to come together as a whole,” Brooks said.
Brooks and others who spoke to New4JAX said what bothers them about this investigation is that they feel like the police department is trying to keep it quiet.
“There are a lot of big names that are involved with the children who are involved. Their parents are business owners. So, they try to keep a lot of the spot light off anything that happens over there,” she said.
The vigil will start at 7:45 p.m. Participants will meet at the Big Lots on Altama Avenue and drive to Southeast Georgia Health System to have the vigil.
On Monday evening, the Glynn County Police Department said the Criminal Investigations Division and Georgia Bureau of Investigations had conducted interviews with the involved parties, and they took a statement from Lehrkamp at the hospital.
Police say those with information may also call Silent Witness hotline at 912-264-1333 or email them at 911silentwitness@glynncounty-ga.gov.