Teen pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter in death of Ellipsis worker

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A 16-year-old is pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and other charges in the death of an employee at the Ellipsis youth home in Johnston.

50-year-old Kathleen Galloway-Menke was shoved by Jovahn Kahrim Deon Mathis after he had walked away from the home on May 8, 2024. The Polk County Attorney's Office says Galloway-Menke had moved in front of the teenager to prevent him from running into a busy street. She died of a brain injury a few days later.

Four police officers also suffered minor injuries during the incident.

Mathis could face up to 20 years in prison.

He'll return to adult court to be sentenced on July 31st of next year.


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