Indiana man dies before trial on boy’s teeth pulling

MADISON, Ind. — A southern Indiana man charged with using pliers to pull two teeth from the mouth of a 2-year-old boy has died while awaiting trial.

The Jefferson County coroner says 28-year-old Andrew Richards of Hanover died Wednesday from congestive heart disease. The Madison Courier reports that Richards had been moved multiple times between jail and a hospital because of his health problems.

Richards was arrested last year on felony child battery and other charges. His then-girlfriend told police that Richards pulled out her son’s loose teeth while he was high on OxyContin, which Richards denied.

Twenty-two-year-old Jessica Carder of Hanover was sentenced last month to 13 years in prison in the case.