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Uncle and girlfriend accused of playing drinking game with 11 year old found dead

Posted:

Updated: July 28, 2009 02:10 PM CDT

Tyler Fecko
Tyler Fecko
Dale Phillips
Dale Phillips
Linda Petrait
Linda Petrait

Posted at 2:10 p.m.

Dale Phillips and Linda Petrait are accused of playing drinking games with eleven year old Tyler Fecko.

In the complaint filed in Jasper County court today, the two knowingly "acted in a manner that created a substantial risk to the life and body and health of Tyler Fecko.

The affidavit says the couple was released Monday after questioning.

However, the two were taken into custody again Tuesday morning Monday at 5:40 p.m., after Fecko's family contacted authorities saying they were packing bags and preparing to flee.

Posted at 12:22 p.m.

Dale Phillips and Linda Petrait have been formally charged in connection with the death of an 11-year-old Joplin boy.

Posted at 11:57 a.m.

Dale Phillips and Linda Petrait are arrested and charges are pending in connection with the death of an 11-year-old Joplin boy.

Phillips is the boy's uncle.  He and Petrait were living together.

On Monday police responded to Phillips' house at 813 East Central and found Tyler Fecko unconscious and not breathing.

He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police say they do have reason to believe the boy drank too much alcohol and died as a result of alcohol poisoning.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, however, police say results could take weeks.

"They interviewed witnesses and other family members," says Cpl. Chuck Niess of the Joplin Police Department.  "They got to the point where they felt they had enough probable cause arrests for child endagerment in the first degree."

Police took Phillips and Petrait into custody Monday.


By MIKE PACHE

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