SHOCKING: Terminally ill child dies in santa's arms...

Viral story of boy who died in Santa's
arms...

Story highlights
Newspaper no longer stands by story of Santa comforting
terminally ill boy
Knoxville News Sentinel editor says it was unable to confirm
child's identity.

It was a story many wanted to believe: A
terminally ill child gets his last wish to see Santa and
dies in his arms.
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.