A 13-year-old boy died after allegedly being thrown into a river by an older boy over a £40 debt.
It was initially reported that Abdou Ngom had vanished into the water during a swim with other youngsters.
But it is now believed that one of the group actually threw him in, despite Abdou shouting that he couldn’t swim.
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The tragedy happened at the Tanaro River in Verduno, in Italy’s north-western Piedmont region.
The four boys had gone to a beach along the river from their homes in nearby Bra to hang out.
The weather was pleasant, but the river was swollen and muddy from recent bad weather.
A week after Abdou’s disappearance, the search for him was called off.
It is now reported that the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office in Turin has charged one of the group with voluntary manslaughter with possible intent.
The teen suspect is currently under house arrest.
During the investigation, detectives found that the three boys had been in contact to discuss how to behave if called in by police.
Questioning also revealed that the prime suspect was eager to collect a £40 (€50) debt from Abdou.
One of the other boys reportedly told officers: “Abdou said he couldn’t swim, but the other guy grabbed him and threw him in the water.”
The suspect denies this account, as reported by Need To Know.
Abdou was born in Bra but was of Senegalese descent. He is survived by his parents, an older brother, a younger brother, and a younger sister.
His father, Khadim, told local media: “He dreamed of becoming a footballer and played for Bra first, then for the team in Roreto, Cherasco.
“But he couldn’t swim. Unfortunately, I wasn’t home that day, and he left without telling his mum where he was going.
“Otherwise, we would never have let him go to the river with those friends.
“I hope this breakthrough in the investigation will at least lead to the search for my Abdou being restarted.
“I just want them to let us bury his body and have a grave where we can mourn him.”
Once found, Abdou’s parents want to take his body to Senegal to be buried “where the rest of our family is”.
The tragedy happened on 21 April.
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