Murder Charge Dropped for Parent of Allegedly Starved Child

An 18-member jury has dropped the murder charge against a parent of the 13-year-old boy who died of malnourishment, according to The Post and Courier.

Jason Monroe Buckley, 32, of Summerville may face other charges but not the original charge of murder, the publication reported. The other parent, Kimberly Marie Love, 32, of Summerville, still faces an unresolved charge of murder.

According to Dorchester County Coroner Chris Nisbet, Joshua Mendoza died due to child neglect in February. His parents were arrested in connection to his death a week later. 

Joshua died weighing only 48 pounds.

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