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Homicide charge possible in girl's death

June 15, 2006

It’ll likely be a month before it’s known whether homicide charges will be filed in connection with the death of a 7-year old girl following a restraining incident at the Rice Lake Day Treatment Center.

Angellika N. Arndt of Ladysmith died May 26 at Minneapolis Children’s Hospital, a day after police responded to a report from the clinic that the girl was unresponsive.

Arndt died from complications of chest compression asphyxia, or suffocation, and also suffered from cardiopulmonary arrest, stated a report by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The restraint hold used by center staff for behavioral issues may be a contributing factor in the child’s death. The center provides a day program for children with mental disorders.

Arndt’s death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. The medical definition of homicide is death caused by another person, said Barron County District Attorney Angela Holmstrom.

“That, of course, doesn’t mean we will be able to prove criminal homicide,” Holmstrom said. She said in that case, there has to be an intentional act or criminal reckless conduct, which results in a death. “At this point, we don’t know,” Holmstrom said.

Denison Tucker, president of the clinic’s board of directors, has said that the girl was held on her stomach on the floor as one staff member gripped her ankles and another held down her shoulders, she calmed down, was released and then passed out.

The state Department of Health and Family Services ordered the clinic on June 2 not to use control holds on patients unless the situation is “so dangerous that police must be called,” said department spokesperson Stephanie Marquis.

Tucker has said the staff followed proper procedures for the control hold, which is only used if a child is in danger of causing harm to him- or herself or another person.

Holmstrom and Rice Lake Police investigators continue to review statements and reports from other agencies involved in the investigation to determine whether or not the facts of the case meet the criminal definition of homicide.

The Associated Press contributed to this story-06/14/06

 

 

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