NEW:
HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (AP) — A western Michigan college professor whose severely autistic 16-year-old son drowned in an icy backyard pool has been ordered to trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge.
A judge ruled Thursday that Timothy Koets should stand trial for the more serious charge he faced in the March death of 16-year-old Samuel Koets.
She expects to decide later on whether second-degree child abuse charges on which he was arraigned should be included.
Authorities say Timothy Koets left his son outside when he went to work, while the mother, Michelle Koets, slept inside after working a shift as a nurse.
Timothy Koets' lawyer says his client didn't leave the boy unattended and his death was “tragic accident.”
ORIGINAL POST:
GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A college professor in western Michigan has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of his 16-year-old autistic son who drowned in an icy backyard pool.
MLive.com reports that 50-year-old Timothy Koets of Georgetown Township also was arraigned last week on child abuse charges.
Samuel Koets was found face down in March in the above-ground pool behind the family's home after his father had left him outside and gone to work at Grand Rapids Community College. The teen's mother, Michelle Koets, was asleep inside the home after working a third shift as a registered nurse.
The teen's arms were bound when found in the pool. The newspaper reports that he had severe autism and his parents restrained his arms to prevent the teen from harming himself or others.
Court records did not list an attorney for Timothy Koets.