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MINDEN, La. - Eight current and former employees of a youth shelter were indicted Monday on negligent homicide charges in the death of a 12-year-old boy who collapsed during a disciplinary run. Alex Harris died last year after a forced run for breaking rules at the Hope Youth Ranch, about 10 miles north of Minden in northwestern Louisiana. Webster Parish prosecutor Schuyler Marvin said the boy had complained about feeling ill but was denied water and rest. Hope Youth Ranch is a nonprofit Christian-based organization for boys. It receives state funding because the juveniles in its care are either foster children or have been sent there by state authorities. The defendants were being released on $2,500 bond each, an attorney for the shelter said. A negligent homicide charge carries up to five years in prison. "We feel, certainly, there was no criminal negligence involved in this matter," said Marty Stroud, the shelter's lawyer. He said the shelter has an excellent record. Autopsy results indicated Harris died of dehydration and head injuries, Marvin said. Investigators said that Harris collapsed and that an older boy picked him up and carried him. But when Harris began vomiting, the boy dropped him. The head injury was probably caused by the boy dropping him, Marvin said. © 2006 AP Wire. All Rights Reserved. |
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