Sheriff’s Office says teen died when no one came to his rescue

Hunter
07/17/20

An investigation by the Johnson County Sheriff’s office has determined that a Tiffin teen drowned this spring at Coralville Lake when four people present failed to call 911.

13-year-old Noah Herring was reported missing on April 8th after not returning home the night before. Investigators learned that Herring was near the Diving Rock area of the lake near Scales Bend Road. Three juveniles who have not been named were at the scene with Herring, as was 47-year-old Scotty Harshman.  At some point, Herring started to drown, but no one present placed a call to emergency responders.

Dozens of interviews were conducted, with multiple search warrants executed. They resulted in one juvenile charged with 5th degree theft, 3rd degree criminal mischief, and use of an electronic communication device while driving. Two others face 3rd degree criminal mischief and 5th degree theft. Harshman was charged with 5th degree theft.

Detective Sergeant Brad Kunkel says because of the lies given to law enforcement at the onset of the investigation, authorities may never know exactly what happened.  No evidence of foul play is suspected, and no applicable charge exists for failing to call 911.

Kunkel added that the circumstances regarding Herring’s death has been very troubling to those involved in the case.