ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, July 17, 1996               TAG: 9607170041
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-4  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM 

GIRLS SENT TO DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM

Two of the three girls who attacked a Coyner Springs Detention Center employee were given suspended commitments to the state Department of Youth and Family Services on Tuesday and placed in drug and alcohol treatment programs.

Botetourt Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Dudley "Buzz" Emick sentenced the girls, ages 13 and 16, on charges of assault on a corrections officer and attempted escape for their part in a May 19 attack on Mary C. Gardner, Botetourt Commonwealth's Attorney Joel Branscom said.

Gardner, 48, gave bed linens to the third girl, a 17-year-old; when Gardner turned her back, the girl wrapped a sheet around her neck, choking her. The other two girls pulled Gardner to the ground and sprayed deodorant in her mouth.

The 17-year-old is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday.

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