Florida boot camp staff charged in teen's death

MIAMI, Nov 28 (Reuters) Eight staff members of a Florida juvenile boot camp have been charged with manslaughter in the death of a 14-year-old boy whose beating by guards was captured on videotape, prosecutors said today.

Seven guards and a nurse at the camp were charged on Monday in the death of Martin Lee Anderson at the Bay County boot camp in Panama City, which was later shut down.

Anderson collapsed during an exercise drill on January 5, a few hours after he arrived at the detention center for young offenders. He died at a hospital the next day.

A medical examiner initially ruled that he died of natural causes, a decision that sparked outrage from the boy's parents and Florida politicians after publication of the videotape, which showed uniformed guards surrounding him, with some holding him against a tree while others appeared to hit him.

The boy repeatedly fell to his knees, only to have the guards pull him up by the arms and try to make him walk.

A second autopsy found the boy died of suffocation because his mouth was blocked and he was forced to inhale ammonia fumes, which resulted in a blockage in his airway. Ammonia is used in smelling salts to revive unconscious or semi-conscious people.

The medical examiner said he died ''due to actions of the guards.'' Charged with aggravated manslaughter are guards Henry Dickens, 60, Charles Enfinger, 33, Patrick Garrett, 30, Raymond Hauck, 48, Charles Helms, 50, Henry McFadden, 33, Joseph Walsh, 35, and camp nurse Kristin Schmidt, 53.

Last week, Anderson's parents accused Gov. Jeb Bush and the state attorney's office of a cover-up.

REUTERS KR HT2222