Counselor charged in drowning death

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A counselor at George Junior Republic faces criminal charges in the drowning death of a youngster from the juvenile offender facility.
Pennsylvania State Police charged Aaron Joseph Cujas, 34, of Taylor Street, Franklin, with three counts of endangering the welfare of children and three counts of recklessly endangering another person. A warrant has been issued for his arrest, and he is expected to turn himself in to police later this week.
Nathaniel McCoy, 16, of Philadelphia died June 9 in the Slippery Rock Creek in Lawrence County. He was brought to the creek, along with two other George Junior residents, by Cujas, police said.
School officials have said Cujas did not have permission to take the boys to that location. He did have permission to take them to a place in Grove City to paint some canoes as a community service project, school officials have said.
Police have said McCoy jumped into the creek, known locally for its treacherous undercurrents, and was pulled under. His body was recovered a few days later about 40 feet from where he disappeared.
Police said the boy's death was ruled accidental, but charges were filed because authorities felt there was gross negligence and disregard for the safety of all three boys.