{"id":2180,"date":"2026-01-17T19:10:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T19:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/?p=2180"},"modified":"2026-01-17T19:10:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T19:10:10","slug":"two-14-year-old-friends-found-dead-after-visiting-citrus-county-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/?p=2180","title":{"rendered":"Two 14-Year-Old Friends Found Dead After Visiting Citrus County Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover aligncenter is-light mycontentblock has-medium-font-size wp-duotone-midnight\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;min-height:102px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"186\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-198 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-1024x186.png\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-1024x186.png 1024w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-300x54.png 300w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-768x139.png 768w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-1536x279.png 1536w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-2048x372.png 2048w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-1320x239.png 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center my-cover-title has-ast-global-color-8-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-c8b156b51f48b33ef19888cd7f52d37b\"><strong>Two 14-Year-Old Friends Found Dead After Visiting Citrus County Park<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1f8f30af98e62f448c361403727b700a\">On a quiet Sunday afternoon in Citrus County, Florida, what began as a carefree outing for two best friends ended in one of the most devastating tragedies a community can endure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    atOptions = {\n        'key' : '9e49f4ce267f7bab92bbdb38b733742b',\n        'format' : 'iframe',\n        'height' : 90,\n        'width' : 728,\n        'params' : {}\n    };\n<\/script>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/brillianceremisswhistled.com\/9e49f4ce267f7bab92bbdb38b733742b\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2f942c63a0a51a4818579db53fba7fb4\">On January\u202f11,\u202f2026, 14\u2011year\u2011old George Watts and his close friend Derrick \u201cDJ\u201d Hubbard lost their lives in an accident that stunned their families, classmates, and the wider area around Inverness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3eabdcce7a2045d47b6062a8c972d58e\">This is the story of an ordinary day turned unimaginable, and how two young lives were taken too soon. It is also a story of community grief, parental heartbreak, and a powerful act of generosity amid overwhelming sorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-c64bd23b39cac9c24899d7bcdd944c28\"><strong>An Ordinary Morning<\/strong><br><br>On that winter Sunday in central Florida, the weather was mild and inviting\u2014typical January sunshine that draws children outdoors to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d8d8c5866c276449ac12411623701fce\">In a quiet residential neighborhood not far from Sportsman\u2019s Park in Inverness, George and Derrick set out for an afternoon of exploration and fun.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-101.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2181\" style=\"width:460px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-101.png 600w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-101-300x270.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41a0e64a347b449d6ce9eb9ca6e2022e\">The boys were best friends, both 14 years old and students at Inverness Middle School. They had grown up together and were described by family, neighbors, and coaches as energetic, kind, and adventurous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cdd5dbcbb514b473e582c9fb741951c1\">They carried with them bicycles\u2014favorite means of getting around the neighborhood\u2014and headed toward a sandpit near the park, a familiar outdoor spot where they often played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-866086069f2e10b63939b61f0f36e33e\">It was a place of open space, imagination, and freedom\u2014far from electronic screens and the pressures of school or daily routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-9def32d31f0fa34b0490c13913104239\"><strong>Digging and Discovery<\/strong><br><br>Like many children before them, George and Derrick began to dig in the soft Florida sand. In parts of Citrus County, the \u201csugar sand\u201d is fine, dry, and easy to work with\u2014a playground for castles, tunnels, and forts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2fb6d59ebbf1e78ab2ad4514231a19c5\">The boys had been at it for some time, creating a hole and shaping it into a kind of tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0083b00f6eb1caa3c6fe364e8eeee65b\">According to sheriff\u2019s officials, the hole they were digging reached approximately four to five feet in depth\u2014a significant excavation for two teenagers without professional shoring or support in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c650fbdcf70c8eebef65fddb1f8c0c93\">Sand may seem stable on the surface, but it can become dangerously unstable just inches below if not properly reinforced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-ae41f3c5bd3f95b8146f11246b5231ca\"><strong>When Play Turns to Panic<\/strong><br><strong><br><\/strong>As the early afternoon progressed and their parents expected them home for lunch, George and Derrick did not answer their cell phones and failed to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4d2aec58520dcbaacc3861879fa42650\">The silence sparked concern. Their families, accustomed to the boys\u2019 usual sense of responsibility and communication, knew something was wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2b4392a412e0a97696f1855dcaf99ff9\">Derrick\u2019s mother was among the first to arrive at the sandpit. What she encountered was harrowing: bikes leaning against a mound of sand, shoes discarded nearby, but no sign of the boys themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-28515d07bbf7faa82e7401c1cd27d3ef\">Sensing that something terrible had happened, she began to dig at the edge of the sandpit as first responders were called to the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-102.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2182\" style=\"width:428px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-102.png 600w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-102-300x270.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b34035f2413137dc81f66c4738d3371f\">Deputies from the Citrus County Sheriff\u2019s Office, firefighters, and emergency medical teams arrived quickly, guided by the concern of the families and the information they had about the boys\u2019 last known location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-01296510f4fa82a0c70c997fd1446082\"><strong>Trapped Beneath the Surface<\/strong><br><strong><br><\/strong>When rescuers located the boys, they were found buried beneath the collapsed sand tunnel. The soft sand had given way, trapping both boys about one to one and a half meters (three to five feet) beneath the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fc7e5ea3e553e918941c8ffea520114c\">Emergency crews worked urgently to extricate them. Around 1:15\u202fp.m., after approximately 30 minutes of rescue operations, the boys were pulled from the sand. CPR began immediately at the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-882a7891def8baa8df173ba918417538\">Derrick \u201cDJ\u201d Hubbard was pronounced dead on Sunday afternoon shortly after being transported to HCA Florida Citrus Hospital. Although life\u2011saving efforts continued, he could not be revived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2a944b3dcba0fbbe3d881dd31641796d\">George Watts, initially found unconscious and not breathing, was flown from the Citrus area to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville in critical condition. Despite doctors\u2019 efforts and life support measures, he succumbed to his injuries early on Tuesday, January\u202f13, 2026, at 4:25\u202fa.m..<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-103.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2183\" style=\"width:529px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-103.png 600w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-103-300x270.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-e28197200c823de1bc29bf68d4c4e77b\"><strong>Grief and Shock in the Community<\/strong><br><strong><br><\/strong>The loss of two young lives so close together, both friends and peers, sent waves of shock throughout Citrus County and beyond. For many classmates, teachers, and neighbors, the news was incomprehensible\u2014a devastating reminder of how fragile life can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72b7b3aae97cee414df59287d2dff30a\">At Inverness Middle School, where both teens were enrolled, administrators expressed profound sorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8bf73267720c4fe35ad5b8a7ae41016e\">The superintendent issued a message acknowledging the impact of the loss and arranged for counselors and support staff to be available to students and faculty throughout the following weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a1d26753d4a1bf14e9048727179bfdfb\">Friends described George and Derrick as inseparable, with laughter, curiosity, and shared dreams of the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12e6df380f543172c1af8fd391fc92e4\">Their bond was more than a typical childhood friendship; it was a connection that many in the community said \u201cwent beyond friendship\u201d and was like that of brothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c94769ed54c764d39d8ecb97e7c0a677\"><strong>Personal Stories and Reflections<\/strong><br><strong><br><\/strong>Neighbors fondly remembered the boys as outgoing and spirited. Zachariah Roberson, a local neighbor, described them as joyful and energetic\u2014kids who embodied the simple joys of childhood, eager to play outside and enjoy the fresh air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b525ac25d56372a2ead0f7728120a229\">\u201cThey were just being kids,\u201d he said, emphasizing the painful irony of what was supposed to be a harmless activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c354a5a11a606282e488a92d385d604d\">Their coach and mentor from the 352 Legends program also spoke about them with affection and pride, noting their dedication to outdoor play and camaraderie. In a tragic twist, the very activity that was meant to be an encouragement to get children off screens and into nature had become the setting of this unfathomable loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d2b9492174d01155a84e9729f6ba7a5d\"><strong>The Rescue Effort<\/strong><br><strong><br><\/strong>Emergency responders\u2014deputies, firefighters, and paramedics\u2014worked under extreme pressure to retrieve the boys. In these situations, first responders train for swift action amid unstable surfaces, heavy equipment, and emotional distress all around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d9079f20ec72c00d2004a08a64a5ef1a\">Despite the complexity of digging sand tunnels and the risk of further collapse, they persevered, pulling the boys out of the sand and immediately administering CPR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0d3c33d581482c6cabe5d67cec4f1b9f\">Such operations require coordination between multiple agencies and specialized equipment often used for trench rescues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-761d5bae5d380373b034465941e76db2\">Sand, unlike soil or rock, can be unpredictable and shift without warning, making these rescues particularly dangerous for both victims and rescuers alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e820991ec3a415282b216e1113021f6f\"><strong>Organ Donation: A Family\u2019s Gift Amid Tragedy<\/strong><br><strong><br><\/strong>In the days following the boys\u2019 deaths, a heartbreaking yet powerful decision emerged from George\u2019s family. In a moment that reflected deep compassion amid immense grief, George\u2019s mother, Jasmine Watts, chose to donate his organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-383b480487602bb889e4227095c89c36\">This decision \u2014 made in cooperation with medical profess<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bb983e01edd6ba71bfecc7adb92eee46\">ionals and with respect to George\u2019s dignity and wishes \u2014 has the potential to save other lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c7f71024f53632544e6a914d324894e9\">The news of the organ donation resonated within the community. Many saw it as a profound act of generosity: even in the darkest moment for their family, a portion of George lives on through the lives he helped save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-06616cd3a9954d57bc0905a4073e4408\">It became a symbol of hope and compassion in a time of grief that otherwise seemed overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a8f4dcac633beb1a2b0a303cfd7ff872\">Community Response: Mourning and Remembrance<br>The local response was immediate and multifaceted. In the days after the accident:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7f6e7496a0255d837cfcf0a5ce00e3ce\">Vigils and honor walks were held in tribute to George and Derrick, bringing together families, friends, and neighbors to remember their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7c5a48f933036316be0265f2f78ded63\">Fundraisers and memorials were organized, including GoFundMe pages to assist with funeral expenses and support the families through ongoing needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c1913a33569709501a25d7f30fc54560\">Counseling services were provided in schools to help peers process grief, confusion, and loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1f0232e73773baa71e710e37a46b8626\">A makeshift memorial with crosses, flowers, and mementos was placed near the site of the accident, creating a quiet space for the community to pay respects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3a3373ea125b73bea459dd152bb8be26\">Local businesses and volunteers also rallied around the families. Events such as benefit barbecues and community gatherings were planned to raise additional funds and foster unity in the face of tragedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94307ff597343be33694e82ee63fb964\">At the hospital, staff held an honor walk for George, a ceremonial goodbye usually reserved for organ donors, where medical teams and staff lined the halls to pay tribute to his gift of life through donation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fd88c982402cdccce00ab7d497388be0\">Understanding the Risk: Sand and Safety<br>Accidents involving collapsed sand tunnels occur more often than many people realize, especially where deep holes are dug without proper safety precautions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8fe267cdd2473a4eb55ccb1d38274abc\">Sand is inherently unstable once excavated below a certain depth, and without supporting structures, it can cave in suddenly, trapping anyone inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cdab05d607e6038a4bfaf40c578b3b68\">Beach and park safety experts generally advise against digging holes deeper than waist height and strongly recommend that any large excavation be filled back in before leaving the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6c7826032af8465b1c8c75ae11275f65\">Without these precautions, even shallow digs can form overhangs that collapse under their own weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8810ac0a55bda31a37d195b43541cc67\">For many adults, this risk is well\u2011understood, but young people \u2014 focused on fun and unaware of the physics of sand \u2014 may not grasp how quickly a playful activity can turn dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a2a14e86c2a12697ed9b4acb60b5d9ac\">This tragic incident has prompted calls within the community for better awareness and education about the risks associated with digging in sand, whether at beaches, parks, or pits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22f9169c9dae1fc3755e98a4ef62ebce\">School and District Support<br>The tragedy deeply affected Inverness Middle School and the broader Citrus County school district. Administrators publicly offered condolences and arranged immediate emotional and psychological support for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92d4c388e303bd020d1062158ed1cbdc\">Counselors and social workers were made available to help pupils navigate their grief, an essential resource after losing classmates so suddenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ca7bc2d81630cd9fe94a54af28e274f6\">The district emphasized community care and a collective approach to supporting students, teachers, and families through this difficult time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90eccaf7ed194b7317a17458eabbb1f0\"><strong>Legacy and Reflection<\/strong><br><strong><br><\/strong>The deaths of George Watts and Derrick \u201cDJ\u201d Hubbard have left a lasting imprint on Citrus County. For their families, the loss is personal, profound, and daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-984e938619154c174a716dcc759838c5\">For their friends and neighbors, it is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of vigilance in seemingly harmless activities. For younger children and parents, it has become a lesson in safety \u2014 a tragic story underscoring that even simple play can carry hidden risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0b2b03f00bf6ce05db1d24db59f76c1e\">Yet amidst the sorrow, there are threads of compassion and unity. George\u2019s organ donation brings hope to families who now benefit from his selflessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cb79a759d457f00576364bb70969a4e8\">Community fundraisers and memorials have strengthened ties among residents who refuse to let the boys be forgotten. And in classrooms and homes, conversations about safety, care, and friendship continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-04dcfb9a1a29fa1096ac1204224b92f2\">Remembering Two Young Lives<br>George and Derrick were more than names in a news article; they were sons, friends, classmates, teammates, and personalities in a community that loved them dearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-03ed4dd5d359551e9db80cacfab98df3\">Their deaths did not just end two lives \u2014 they touched countless others, reminding everyone of the preciousness of youth and the importance of cherishing every moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c0d2f3c49b9ba7e48bdeaad72dd18444\"><strong>The accident at a sandpit near Sportsman\u2019s Park will remain a painful memory, but the love, memories, and legacy of these two boys\u2014carried forward through support, remembrance, and acts of kindness\u2014will endure far beyond that tragic January day.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On a quiet Sunday afternoon in Citrus County, Florida, what began as a carefree outing for two best friends ended in one of the most devastating tragedies a community can endure. On January\u202f11,\u202f2026, 14\u2011year\u2011old George Watts and his close friend Derrick \u201cDJ\u201d Hubbard lost their lives in an accident that stunned their families, classmates, and &#8230; <a title=\"Two 14-Year-Old Friends Found Dead After Visiting Citrus County Park\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/?p=2180\" aria-label=\"Read more about Two 14-Year-Old Friends Found Dead After Visiting Citrus County Park\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2180"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2185,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2180\/revisions\/2185"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}