Not Guilty Plea in Iowa Teen’s Malnutrition Death

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — The adoptive brother of 16-year-old girl who died of malnutrition in her family home has pleaded not guilty to four felony charges in connection to her death.

The Des Moines Register reports that 21-year-old Justin Dale Ray pleaded not guilty Friday to two counts of child endangerment and two counts of willful injury.

Police say he "drop-kicked" Sabrina Ray down basement stairs sometime between April 15 and May 1, leaving her unable to walk, talk, eat or drink normally.

He remains jailed on $100,000 bond.

The girl's body was found May 12 in the Perry home she shared with her adoptive parents, who have also been charged. The girl weighed just 56 pounds.

A cousin and grandmother of the teen also face charges in her death.