Coroner identifies University of SC student found dead
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of an 18-year-old University of South Carolina student found dead in an off-campus home.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts on Thursday identified the student as Charles Terreni. Watts says an autopsy showed no signs Terreni had been beaten, stabbed or shot. Watts says he will release a cause of death after toxicology tests are complete.
Authorities say Terreni was found dead around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in a private home about a mile from the heart of campus. Watts says Terreni was a freshman and lived on campus.
The national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity said in a news release that the university chapter has been suspended and is cooperating with all investigations into the death. Colombia police have not released any details about their investigation.
DSS settles case over assault of 6-year-old girl
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's social services agency has settled allegations that it failed to protect a 6-year-old girl from a teenage foster child with known behavioral problems who was HIV-positive and admitted to sexually assaulting the girl.
The State newspaper reports (http://bit.ly/1LxpAqu ) that court records show the Department of Social Services and private foster parent recruiter S.C. Mentor Inc. agreed this week to pay $515,000 to settle a lawsuit.
Both the company and DSS deny any fault in the case.
The girl's mother sued DSS last year, saying the agency was negligent in not making sure the boy was properly monitored or got appropriate counseling and therapy.
According to the lawsuit, the boy ultimately admitted that he had assaulted the girl and was charged with criminal sexual conduct.
Seventh SC coastal town on record against offshore drilling
JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — The town of James Island has gone on record against drilling for oil and natural gas off the South Carolina coast.
That makes seven communities in South Carolina and a total of 19 in both Carolinas to go on record against offshore drilling. Hilton Head Island passed a similar resolution earlier this week.
Opponents of offshore drilling worry that spills could hurt the environment and the important coastal tourism industry. Supporters say energy development will create jobs and revenues for the states. They say oil drilling can be done safely.
The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is taking comments through the end of the month on what issues should be studied in developing an environmental impact statement on drilling off the Atlantic coast.