A Mercer County man arrested after 14-year-old’s remains found in lake

Warning: This article contains graphic content that some readers may find disturbing

Mercer County, Pa. ( WJET/WFXP ) — A 14-year-old who went missing in Sharon, PA, on June 22, has been found dead.

According to Pennsylvania State Police in Mercer, Hermitage Police Department responded to a call on June 25 in the area of Shengao Lake in Clark Borough.

Upon arrival, Police found and recovered dismembered human remains that were in and partially submerged in the water. At this point, Hermitage Police Department turned over the investigation to PSP Mercer.

During the week that followed, police canvased the area and discovered human remains at various remote locations around Shenango Lake. On July 3, the Mercer County Coroner confirmed that the remains matched that of 14-year-old Paul Likens, Jr. of Sharon, Pennsylvania.

The Mercer County Coroner ruled the cause of death to be ‘sharp blunt force trauma to the head’ and the manner of death was a homicide.

During the investigation, police utilized the victim’s cellular information, social media records as well as surveillance video. This information found that the victim had arrived at the Budd Street Public Park and Canoe Lunch and remained there for around 40 minutes. Likens then appeared to make a phone call and police say he was waiting for someone.

Police identified the suspect vehicle traced it back to the Riverwalk Appartments and observed a male whose movements were consistent with the vehicle of interest. Police identified the suspect as 29-year-old DaShawn Watkins of Sharon, PA.

After returning, Watkins was seen struggling to carry a large duffle bag when he had returned back to his apartment. The next day, Watkins was seen taking several trips out of his apartment with multiple bags and garbage bags.

Upon investigation of Watkins’ apartment, preliminary blood tests revealed that blood was present in multiple locations in the apartment including under the bathroom flooring.

DaShawn Watkins has been charged with 1st-degree murder, Aggravated Assault, Abuse of a corpse and tampering with/fabricating physical evidence.

He is being held at the Mercer County Prison, and due to the nature of the crime, he is held without bail.

Watkins’ preliminary hearing is set for July 17th at 10 am.

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