Idaho briefs
• Idaho couple plead not guilty in neglect case
MOSCOW - A North Idaho couple accused of neglecting a 67-year-man in their care to such an extent he died of malnutrition or starvation has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges.
The Lewiston Tribune reports that Charles Wright, 24, and Lindsey Winter, 21, on Monday denied abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, exploitation of a vulnerable adult and fraudulently obtaining welfare or public assistance.
Lee O. Pohrman died Nov. 3 at the Gritman Medical Center after earlier that day being taken from the residence of Wright and Winter. An autopsy listed malnutrition and starvation as the cause.
Francis Spain, Pohrman's primary-care provider at Moscow Family Medicine between January 2009 and April 2011, said Pohrman weighed a healthy 162 pounds when he saw him in April 2013. Pohrman weighed 97 pounds when he died.
Also at a probable cause hearing late last month, Spain said Pohrman had been living at Good Samaritan Village, a senior living and care center, where he received 24-hour treatment. Spain said Pohrman, because of a stroke, was paralyzed partially on his left side. He also suffered from various ailments, including chronic high blood pressure, bipolar affective disorder and a neurogenic bladder condition.
Pohrman moved out of the assisted care facility and into the care of Wright and Winter against medical recommendations, Spain said.
Authorities said Wright and Winter received about $40,450 in checks during 33 months as payment to care for Pohrman, more than the $13,200 that would have been expected under the $400-per-month fee they were charging him.
Wright and Winter are next scheduled to appear in court on Jan 12 for a pretrial hearing.
• School shooting threat prompts more security
WENDELL - A middle school student has been suspended after making a threat about a shooting at a south-central Idaho school.
Gooding County Sheriff Shaun Gough tells The Times-News a 13-year-old boy typed the threat on a calculator and walked away more than a week ago. On that same day, another student found the calculator and reported the note.
The note threatened to shoot students who came to school on Veterans Day.
Gough said deputies were present at Wendell Middle School all day Tuesday.
He added that his office is looking into possible charges against the student.
Wendell Superintendent Greg Lowe said he believes the note was a prank.
School officials and law enforcement officers are working with the boy and his family.
The student's name hasn't been released.