A 14-year-old Edgerton girl accused in the drug overdose death of a 13-year-old boy has been sentenced to state custody for the next five years.
Rock County District Attorney David O’Leary says Ashlee Brown will serve under the serious juvenile offender program, which was the maximum penalty possible under the juvenile system. He says it was appropriate based on the serious nature of the offense.
O’Leary says the juvenile system will provide a much better opportunity for rehabilitation, compared to the adult prison system. Defense attorney Kelly Mattingly agrees, saying the girl didn’t want her friend to die, and this sentence provides access to the help she needs.
Brown) had previously been charged as an adult with first degree reckless homicide in the death of Alex Aiken, but the case was referred back to juvenile court Thursday, where Judge Alan Bates found her delinquent and a danger to the community. Brown had previously been referred to juvenile authorities nine times and found delinquent three times.
AUDIO: Rock County DA David O’Leary (:20)
WCLO’s Stan Stricker contributed this report.