Teen Responsible For Death Of Security Guard Enters No Contest Plea For Manslaughter

Daytona Beach, FL - The 14-year-old Volusia County teen accused of beating a security guard who subsequently died has entered a no contest plea for manslaughter. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) says the defendant, Christopher Carpenter, has since been committed to a juvenile maximum-risk commitment program and is currently in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Volusia County deputies were called to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise on March 30 after receiving reports of a security guard who was attacked by one of the residents, Carpenter. Reports from that incident say Carpenter punched the guard in the head multiple times during the altercation. The guard, who was later identified as 52-year-old Michael Ellis, reportedly walked to a nearby office after the attack and started showing signs of medical distress before losing consciousness. He was then taken to the hospital in critical condition. Ellis later died after he was taken off of life support. Carpenter was originally facing an aggravated battery on a uniformed security guard charge.