Boy, 10, Charged in Death of Playmate
Posted: 6:36 p.m. EDT May 18, 2003
KENNESAW, Ga. -- A 10-year-old boy has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of an 11-year-old friend.
Cobb County police spokesman Dana Pierce said the two got into a fight April 3 in the backyard of one of the boys after school. Pierce said one struck the other in the stomach.
Three days later, the 11-year-old was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, complaining of stomach pain. The child was later taken to Scottish Rite, where he died of blunt force trauma to the abdomen, Pierce said.
"Most of the time a stomach injury, such as a tear to any organ, can start very small, and over the course of time, it enlarges," said John Dawes, of the Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office.
Authorities did not release the name of the boys. The 10-year-old was being charged as a juvenile.
"Our department worked with the DA's office to determine the facts and what the child would be charged with," Pierce said.
