GEORGE JUNIOR Justice drops charges against school counselor

The judge believes it is a civil court matter.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Criminal charges against a George Junior Republic counselor stemming from the drowning death of a George Junior teen have been dropped.
District Justice Sam Battaglia dismissed the charges after a hearing in Lawrence County Central Court Tuesday.
"I didn't feel that a crime had occurred. Certainly it was a terrible tragedy, an unfortunate accident, but I didn't feel it was a crime," Battaglia said.
Lawrence County District Attorney Matt Mangino said a hearing was held for Aaron Joseph Cujas, 34, of Franklin, Pa.
Cujas was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of children and three counts of recklessly endangering another person.
What happened
Nathaniel McCoy, 16, of Philadelphia, drowned June 9 in Slippery Rock Creek in Lawrence County. He was taken 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 canoes as a community service project, school officials have said.
Police have said McCoy jumped into the creek, known 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.
Mangino said prosecutors offered four witnesses and the defense had one witness. Mangino said his office has not decided if it will refile the charges.
Battaglia said he felt the matter belonged in civil court.