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Mom, grandparents of starved boy held for trial

MERCER, Pa. (AP) — The mother and maternal grandparents of an 8-year-old Pennsylvania boy who police say nearly starved to death have been ordered to stand trial on charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

District Judge Brian Arthur was so upset by pictures and reports that the boy was 25 pounds in June that he revoked the defendants' bond and ordered them jailed unless they each post $100,000.

Attorneys for the boy's mother, 28-year-old Mary C. Rader, and grandparents, 59-year-old Dennis Beighley and 48-year-old Deana Beighly, suggested the boy had a problem with growth hormones. But county caseworkers and doctors indicated it appeared he was purposely kept from eating and nearly starved.

The boy, then 7, was removed from his Greenville home in June when a neighbor noticed his "skeletal" appearance.

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