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Boy Dies at Grandmother's Wedding Party

Victim Found With Head Pinned in Church Elevator

AP
posted: 6 HOURS 59 MINUTES AGO
comments: 113
filed under: National News
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STURGIS, Ky. (June 16) -- Kentucky officials were investigating after the body of an 8-year-old boy was found with his head pinned in a church elevator as his family was cleaning up after his grandmother's wedding reception.
A state elevator inspector was expected to arrive at the church on Tuesday, said Dick Brown, spokesman for the state Public Protection Cabinet.
No foul play is suspected in the death of Zachary Waddell at First Christian Church in Sturgis, Kentucky State Police said in a statement Sunday.
The church's pastor, the Rev. Nate Harper, found the boy's body Saturday in the doorway at the lower level of the shaft connecting the church's first and second floors, authorities said.
Union County Coroner Stephen Shouse said the boy died as a result of compression asphyxia, meaning he couldn't breathe after the elevator came down on him.
The boy was found with his head pinned between the walls of the elevator and the shaft and his body was outside the elevator car, Shouse said. He said the elevator was purchased in 1963 and is similar to a freight elevator.
State police said the boy was pronounced dead at the church. They gave few details, and state police spokesman Sgt. David Jude in Frankfort said Tuesday that the investigation was continuing.
Harper told the Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press that the discovery was the "worst thing" he's ever experienced.
"It was really hard for us, but more than anything else our hearts go out to that family," he told the newspaper. He also said he did not know a lot about the elevator, "but to our knowledge, we believe it was up to standards."
"There's a family that needs prayer," Harper told the AP on Monday afternoon. "They've suffered a great tragedy."
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2009-06-16 09:57:05
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Shadowfaxx333

05:53 PMJun 16 2009

TO: USA ATLAS ...Yes there are homosexsuals in Kentucky. They are about 10% or more of the world population. Go to Google or your favorite searce engine put in "Gay Pride Kentucky" This child died a stragic death. God is not to blame. He gave us free will.

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EmPtrssn

05:51 PMJun 16 2009

you men are so dumb you can't even use a protection with a mentally ill person! stop spreading your seeds to every hole that comes around! think with your other head that has a brain!

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Hockeylips1

05:49 PMJun 16 2009

THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO TRAP A MAN...IT ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET ONE.

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Snahrub

05:48 PMJun 16 2009

for gposner29.....every elevator is inspected by a state elevator inspector once a year as well as a certified mechanic every six months....at the expense of the owner of the elevator. Codes change and what was allowed in the 1960's are not allowed today. However, any elevator that was installed in prior years are inspected under the code in which it was installed.

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Sdave7596

05:48 PMJun 16 2009

UH....was he reported missing or did the family not give a crap that their 8 year old didnt go home with them the night before??!!

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Xkglady

05:47 PMJun 16 2009

Bluefish6; No, I don't question God, I question why this chld had been left to his own devices, mischief, and allowed to peek his curiosity alone while others were most likely enjoying the wedding reception and never thinking this child or any child would've been killed during this celebration of matrimony.

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Bluefish6

05:45 PMJun 16 2009

InspiringAngela, I watch Nancy Grace on TV and what I've learned is you don't have to have any of the facts before you make judgement. You start with whatever suits your own agenda and then you spin or make up the facts to suit your agenda. Actual facts just get in the way.

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Rgulley2

05:43 PMJun 16 2009

PlanX hit the nail on the head!

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Xkglady

05:42 PMJun 16 2009

Sounds like the child was looking into the elevator when the door closed on his head, and the weight of the doors were too heavy for this child to hold open, entrapping his head and causing his body to be dragged along the wall of the shaft of this elevator. Parents, Aunts', Uncles', cousins', friends, and others should've been watching this child. In the excitement of the day, this child did what most his age do, from curiosity and exploration, they have to keep themselves occupied, how sad, what should've been a festive and happy occasion, turned out to be a tragic event. What an anniversary rememberance this day will be for all.

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InspiringAngela

05:38 PMJun 16 2009

I would have to have some idea of how the boy got into the elevator shaft before deciding about blame. At the age of 8, a child should be allowed to go through their church by themselves to the dining hall, the sanctuary, to Sunday School class or to the bathroom. But a healthy child can think up mischief wherever they go, and this does not make their parents bad by any means. But whatever the reason, what a bittersweet day for the family... a wedding and a death. My condolences to them all.

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