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Charges against youth counselors in
teen's death dismissed
September 16, 2008
A 3rd District Court judge has
dismissed neglect charges against two counselors of a residential
youth treatment center in Draper.
Deborah Cole and Jorge Ramirez,
from Youth Care Inc., 12600 Minuteman Drive, were charged last
October with one count each of abuse or neglect of a child, a
third-degree felony. The charges stemmed from the death of
California resident Brendan Blum in June 2007.
Blum was having stomach problems
and had been vomiting and suffering from diarrhea all night. But
rather than contacting the facility's on-call nurse, Blum was given
some medicine and placed in a room away from the other boys. The
next morning he was found dead on his mattress.
An autopsy later revealed the boy
had an obstructed bowel that deteriorated as the night progressed.
Police said when they later interviewed the nurse, she said she
would have recommended he go to the hospital immediately.
Defense attorneys argued to dismiss
the case, noting that Blum suffered from a rare medical condition
that presented itself as flu-like symptoms. Prosecutors fought the
motion. But in late July, Judge Robert Adkins ordered the charges
dismissed, finding no probable cause that Blum was neglected.
Story continues below Alicia Cook,
with the Salt Lake District Attorney's Office, said her office felt
it was the right decision to file charges in the case, but that, "We
are understanding of the decision (to dismiss). In all fairness, we
have to acknowledge the reasons underlying the judge's decision."
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