Ind. mom whose son shot brother wants trial moved

Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — A central Indiana woman charged with failing to protect her children after her 11-year-old son shot his 6-year-old brother with a gun from her bedroom wants her trial moved to another county.

Amanda Vandagrifft’s trial on neglect charges had been set for this week, but her attorney requested a change of venue due to pretrial publicity in Martinsville.

A judge set a hearing on the request for Jan. 3.

The older boy, now 12, was found guilty of reckless homicide in juvenile court and was placed in an Indianapolis children’s home. Authorities say he shot his younger brother in June with a gun taken from his parents’ bedroom.

Prosecutors say Vandagrifft was aware of her son’s violent tendencies and did nothing to protect her other children.