Plea agreement reached for juvenile who killed 3-year-old boy
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POLSON – The 17-year-old male charged with negligent homicide in the death of Phillip Shourds Jr., a 3-year-old boy who was killed in Pablo on Thanksgiving Day, has received a plea agreement.
Ronan resident Chasen Curley appeared in youth court Wednesday, March 8, when the plea agreement was announced.
After the hearing, County Attorney Steve Eschenbacher said the agreement calls for a six-year deferred sentence for felony criminal endangerment, which was amended from negligent homicide. In court on Wednesday, Curley took responsibility for causing the child’s death.
A restitution, transfer and adjudication or sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 29. Any restitution will be for counseling for the boy’s father, Phillip Shourds Sr., and his siblings, Eschenbacher said.
“This is a realistic solution to the problem,” Eschenbacher said. “I’m hoping Chasen takes the opportunity and does well with it.”
When asked if Shourds Sr. supports the agreement, Eschenbacher said he doesn’t know because he hasn’t been able to talk to him because Shourds Sr. will only communicate through an attorney.
Curley was charged in what was described as a hit-and-run incident. According to a court document, witnesses said a vehicle backed up over the boy and took off.
Curley turns 18 on March 22.
Eschenbacher said the plea agreement, which Judge James A. Manley hasn’t approved yet, provides for juvenile and adult probation for Curley until he turns 21. He would then be under supervision of adult probation until age 25.
