MONROE - An arson charge against a juvenile in connection to a fatal Easter Sunday fire was dismissed Wednesday in Green County Circuit Court.
The juvenile pleaded no contest to arson. An evaluation was done on the juvenile and the charge of arson was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the charge cannot be brought against the juvenile in the future.
If the case had taken place in adult court, the juvenile would have faced up to 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 for the class C felony.
Further court proceedings were closed because of the person's age. Unlike proceedings that involve adults, portions of juvenile proceedings are not open to the public.
The March 23 fire claimed the life of Jeffrey R. Sullivan, 37. The fire began at about 12:30 a.m. at the Sullivans' residence at 2415 16th St., Monroe. An autopsy determined Sullivan died of smoke inhalation.
Police officers tried to find a way into the home but couldn't because of smoke and flames. Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said the officers walked around all sides of the house but weren't able to find a way to get inside.
Monroe firefighters arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and entered the home. They located Sullivan with a thermal imaging camera.
Sullivan was taken to Monroe Clinic but later died from his injuries.
Detectives from the Monroe Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice determined the fire was not accidental.
The juvenile pleaded no contest to arson. An evaluation was done on the juvenile and the charge of arson was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the charge cannot be brought against the juvenile in the future.
If the case had taken place in adult court, the juvenile would have faced up to 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 for the class C felony.
Further court proceedings were closed because of the person's age. Unlike proceedings that involve adults, portions of juvenile proceedings are not open to the public.
The March 23 fire claimed the life of Jeffrey R. Sullivan, 37. The fire began at about 12:30 a.m. at the Sullivans' residence at 2415 16th St., Monroe. An autopsy determined Sullivan died of smoke inhalation.
Police officers tried to find a way into the home but couldn't because of smoke and flames. Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said the officers walked around all sides of the house but weren't able to find a way to get inside.
Monroe firefighters arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and entered the home. They located Sullivan with a thermal imaging camera.
Sullivan was taken to Monroe Clinic but later died from his injuries.
Detectives from the Monroe Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice determined the fire was not accidental.