Viral Story Of Boy Who Died In Santa’s Arms Begins To Unravel
PHILADELPHIA (CNN) — It was a story many wanted to believe: A terminally ill child gets his last wish to see Santa and dies in his arms.It is, perhaps, important to understand that the Knoxville paper is not saying Schmitt-Matzen's story is actually false, just that they have not been able to verify it as true.
But the Tennessee newspaper that ran it first now says it can no longer stand by the account.
The Knoxville News Sentinel story quickly went viral after it was published Sunday. USA Today republished the column, which was written by News Sentinel columnist Sam Venable. A host of national news outlets gave it additional coverage, including CNN, who spoke to Santa actor Eric Schmitt-Matzen about his interaction with the boy in his final moments.
“When you get to those pearly gates, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s No. 1 elf, and I know they’ll let you in,” Schmitt-Matzen recalled telling the boy.
But in a note published online Wednesday, Venable and News Sentinel editor Jack McElroy said they were unable to verify the account after it was published because Schmitt-Matzen refused to provide the identities of the child’s family or the nurse who purportedly called him to the hospital, which is not named in the story.
I am leaning false myself, especially since in the original account Schmitt-Matzen said that he sent the dying boy's mom and dad into the hallway so he could be alone with the boy. Sorry, no. And I don't believe that any flesh-and-blood parents would acquiesce, either.
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