‘We are devastated’: Family pushes for answers in death of teen cadet at youth academy

NEW LONDON, N.C. — For the first time, the family of a teenage cadet who died suddenly at a National Guard program in Stanly County is opening up to Channel 9.

The family said 17-year-old Selvin Betancourt died overnight Tuesday at the Tarheel Challenge Youth Academy in New London.

“We are devastated, something completely unexpected,” the cadet’s aunt Karen Betancourt said. “He was perfectly healthy. His mother had just seen him two weeks prior and there was nothing wrong with him.”

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The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause of death and said no there does not seem to be any foul play involved. Officials said Selvin died around midnight, but the family said they didn’t learn of his death until 4 a.m. on Wednesday.

At first, deputies told the family Selvin died from a stroke, but that is when they drove to the school from Charlotte to get more answers.

“He had a cold at the moment,” Karen Betancourt said. “They tried to make him go to the nurse and he refused to go.”

Karen Betancourt told us officers in the barracks later noticed Selvin was not doing well. They were about to take him to the nurse when he passed out. He died shortly after paramedics arrived.

Initial reports showed no signs of foul play, but Karen Betancourt said the family still has not seen his body or a copy of the autopsy report. They are now looking to get a lawyer.

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The academy is sponsored by the North Carolina National Guard. Its staff and the North Carolina National Guard are cooperating fully with the law enforcement investigation, officials said in a news release.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of a Tarheel Challenge Cadet,” said Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and fellow cadets as we hold them firmly in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time.”

North Carolina teenagers who attend the program are between 16 and 18 years old.

The current New London Youth Challenge class began Oct. 12, 2019, which had 119 cadets enrolled.

The Tarheel Challenge Youth program has two academies in the state: Salemburg and New London.

The New London academy opened in 2016, and the Salemburg academy has been in operation since 1994.

Both programs have graduated more than 5,400 cadets in the past 26 years.

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