Loudoun County mental health technician charged with involuntary manslaughter of teen patient

LEESBURG, Va. - An employee at a Leesburg behavioral health care center has been charged in connection with the death of a teenage patient at the facility, authorities say.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office says 47-year-old William Herndon was indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges after an investigation was conducted into the death of the victim -- a 15-year-old boy from Norfolk.

According to officials, authorities responded to the North Spring Behavioral Healthcare on Victory Lane on Nov. 19 after the victim was reported unresponsive and not breathing. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators determined that the teenage boy died after being restrained by Herndon, a mental health technician at the facility.

An autopsy performed on the victim found that he died from positional asphyxiation.

Herndon being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond.