DANVILLE — A 16-year-old from Avon has died of injuries sustained after he jumped from the third floor of the Hendricks County Courthouse, shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Marion County Coroner’s Office.
Luke Whitson was making an initial appearance on a domestic battery charge stemming from an arrest on Tuesday.
After his transport from the Sugar Creek Juvenile Justice Center to the courthouse here, Whitson was escorted by officers up the elevator to the third floor. Despite the protocol handcuffs and ankle guards, he was able to move past officers upon exiting the elevator, and jump over the railing. Police estimate that he fell about 31 feet.
Officials say Whitson was breathing and moving at the time he was transported to Hendricks Regional Health in Danville. He was later flown to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where he died.
No injuries to other occupants of the courthouse were reported.
The Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department is investigating, but did not return phone calls as of press time.
courtney.essett@flyergroup.com
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