By Amy Chaffins
Alexandria Echo Press
For two weeks, a jury in Pope County District Court has heard testimony and seen evidence detailing the death of a Starbuck boy, 4-year-old Eric Dean.
As of Wednesday morning, the case was turned over to the jury to deliberate a decision.
Amanda Peltier of Starbuck is on trial for the death of Dean. She’s charged with first degree murder while committing child abuse with a past pattern of child abuse and second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony.
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Peltier was caring for Dean at her Starbuck home in February of 2013 when she allegedly became upset with the boy and “launched” him across a room, she told law enforcement.
Dean reportedly fell ill that night and into the next day be-fore an ambulance was called to the home late February 27. Dean was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital where he died early the next morning.
Eric Dean is the son of Sommar Kemp of Glenwood and David Dean of Starbuck.
David Dean was Peltier’s live-in fiancé at the time.
