Westmoreland DA: There is a 'person of interest' in the death of New Kensington boy, 9

Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said authorities have a person of interest in the death of Azuree Charles, a 9-year-old resident of East Ken Manor in New Kensington.

Ziccarelli did not share any details Thursday afternoon as East Ken Manor residents prepared to honor the memory of Azuree, who was found dead early Wednesday.

Investigators have not commented publicly on how Azuree died. His body was found under a lawn chair behind a neighbor’s home after he had been reported missing.

Ziccarelli said law enforcement officers canvassed the neighborhood near Haser Drive where the boy’s body was found. A command post was established near the neighborhood. East Ken Manor is a public housing complex.

“We are specifically asking the public and members of the community to cooperate with law enforcement, share home video surveillance and provide any information that may be helpful to the investigation to officers,” she said in a statement.

Anyone with information is asked to contact New Kensington police.

After a large police presence Wednesday, residents said police were back Thursday morning. At one time, a New Kensington police vehicle appeared to be monitoring the neighborhood.

Neighborhood children gave from their own toys to assemble a memorial to Azuree, a third grader, in front of a tree outside the Westmoreland County Housing Authority project’s office building. It was under plastic in case of rain.

Parents were distributing a flyer for the candlelight vigil and a balloon release that was held Thursday evening at the same location on Gardlock Court.

“It’s a shame. Who would want to harm … it’s wrong,” resident Gloria Lauffer said.

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• Death of 9-year-old boy shakes New Kensington neighborhood

Madorne Lemaime is Azuree’s aunt and lives in Philadelphia. She said his mother, Luella Elien, is her sister.

Lemaime said her family is from West Palm Beach, Fla., and most of them are still there. She said Elien came north when she was 18 and has been in New Kensington for a year or two.

Azuree has three younger sisters, Lemaime said.

On Thursday, Lemaime said she had not been able to reach her sister by phone.

Lemaime said Azuree had suffered from health issues stemming from being born prematurely. She said he had undergone several surgeries and recently had a tracheostomy tube removed, which she said had been placed to help him talk and breathe.

“He was just getting over all of his health conditions,” she said.

At East Ken Manor, neighbors described Elien as a good and attentive mother, and Azuree as sweet, kind and respectful.

“He was the most friendly kid,” Lemaime said. “When they were at the grocery store, he would run around saying ‘hi’ and asking if people wanted to be friends.”

Resident Stacy Machen said too many parents let their young children wander around the complex unsupervised late at night, violating a curfew.

“This is a wake-up call to all the parents with little children,” she said.