Charges dropped against 1 of 2 men accused in teen's death

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) - Obstruction of justice charges have been dropped against a former worker at a northern Illinois youth home who was implicated in the death of a 16-year-old resident.

Shaquan Allen was living at the Allendale Association in Lake Villa in March 2016 when Justin Serak and James Davis struggled with the boy while responding to a "behavioral issue."

Davis allegedly put Allen in a chokehold and the boy was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Police say the employees tried to pass the incident off as an accident by saying the boy slipped and struck his head.

Lake County prosecutors on Tuesday dropped the charges against the 28-year-old Serak, who will testify against Davis.

The 38-year-old Davis of Round Lake remains jailed awaiting trial on involuntary manslaughter and obstruction of justice charges.