Lancaster Boy, 7, Accidentally Hangs Himself In Backyard Tree

LANCASTER (CBS) — Officials say a 7-year-old Lancaster boy accidentally hanged himself in the backyard of his home.

CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Amanda Burden spoke to the boy's devastated mother.

"Words cannot explain the way I feel after losing a 7-year-old child. He was so full of life. He had so much more to do and accomplish." Those were the words of Evelyn Briggs, still trying to come to terms with the loss of her son.

She told Burden that her son was a karate enthusiast. She isn't sure entirely what happened but believes the boy's karate belt somehow strangled him as he tried to jump from a tree he was playing in.

"This is my baby. I'm angry, I'm sad, I'm lost," she said, holding back tears.

Friday evening, like any other, Briggs says her son -- Aaris Conway -- went to the backyard to play basketball. About 20 minutes later she said, everything was quiet.

She and another son went out to investigate. And that's when they discovered Aaris hanging from the tree.

"He likes to climb in the tree," his mother says, "and it's such a tragedy. Tangling and choking on his belt. It's horrible."

A neighbor called 911 as she and her other son tried to revive the boy. But it was too late.

"I was screaming. But I realized I have to go grab my baby and so we got him untangled. He fell and I shook him. I did chest compression, CPR," she says, her voice trailing off.

Briggs fondly recalls her son's love of sports, and gospel music, church and skateboarding.

Tonight, she has a warning for other parents. Keep a close eye on your children so you don't have to endure such a calamitous loss.

"Just be careful," Briggs says, "things happen so sudden."