"Our entire staff is heart
broken and full of grief."
Those are the words from
the ministry administrator at the Hope Youth Ranch in Webster
Parish.
Eight former and current
ranch employees were indicted Monday on charges surrounding the
death a thirteen year old boy their care.
The death is reminding
people of recent national tragedy's involving young children sent to
youth camps.
In this case, the charge
does not imply intent. In other words the accused did not intend to
kill the boy, but they did nothing to stop it.
The charge against the
eight accused is negligent homicide. The allegation is denying a
young boy a drink of water after making him run for bad behavior.
"Any reasonable person
would have been able to see there was something wrong on that day,"
says Louisiana State Police Detective Michael Allen.
The day was September
2005. Numerous times that day, investigators say the thirteen year
old begged for water, complained of pain, and even tried to drink
from water fountain before allegedly being drug away from it.
"What the coroner told us,
a little bit of water and this kid would be alive," say
Bossier-Webster District Attorney Schuyler Marvin.
The case differs from a
recent one in Florida where a young boy died in a boot camp. A
video tape shows guards apparently beating the boy. The first
autopsy found the death to be unrelated to the beating, but a second
one cited criminal negligence. Now, Florida's Governor is demanding
action.
"There was no other reason
for his death other than negligent treatment of him according to the
coroner. He did not have any other health problems," says Marvin.
Marvin says he does not
believe any of eight accused went to work that day intending to
kill, but he blames all eight of them for not stepping in and
stopping what he calls a preventable death for a troubled teen who
needed help, in more than one way.
Ranch ministry
administrator Roy Martinez says the ranches mission is unchanged.
"There are still hurting
children here and throughout this state. We will continue to use
one hundred percent of our resources and efforts to make a
difference in the lives of hurting young men.
All eight indicted are out
of jail on bond awaiting arraignment
Hope
Youth Ranch Employees Indicted