Manslaughter Charges Dropped

Lewis County judge Daniel King has dropped the most serious criminal counts against a Deer River woman charged in connection with the death of a teen who overdosed on drugs in her home last December.

  Brenda Roth was facing charges of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, tampering with physical evidence and endangering the welfare of a child. Yesterday, Judge King dismissed all charges with the exception of the endangering charge.
Roth was arrested December 28, 2014, after 15 year old Derek Holton of Carthage died of an apparent overdose at Roth's home.  Roth was accused of failing to take any action to save Holton's life.  She was also accused of giving Holton and several girls over-the counter and prescription drugs. Roth remains in the Lewis County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond, but he ordered that she be released on probation as soon as possible - and no later than next Friday.