NY supervisor charged in autistic patient's death

NEW YORK – A supervisor at a state-run facility for the mentally disabled in New York has been indicted on a criminally negligent homicide charge in an autistic patient's death.

The Staten Island district attorney says Erik Stanley, of Middletown, N.J., pleaded not guilty Wednesday. The developmental aide supervisor also is charged with endangering the patient's welfare.

The medical examiner determined Jawara Henry died Dec. 4 of asphyxiation by neck and chest compression.

An eight-month investigation found that Stanley did not follow protocol or use proper techniques while trying to restrain the patient. At the time, Henry was agitated and biting staff and other patients.

Stanley's attorney did not immediately return a call for comment.