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Former Salem Community High School student pleads guilty to school fight that sent another student to the hospital

By Bruce Kropp Jun 16, 2023 | 9:40 AM

An 18-year-old former student at Salem Community High School has pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor battery charge in connection with a fight at Salem Community High School last October that sent a 15-year-old student to Salem Township Hospital for treatment.

Carter Owens of North Broadway admitted to striking the juvenile with his hands or feet.   He was placed on two years probation, ordered to have no contact with the victim, and given credit for eight days served in the Marion County Jail.

As part of the plea agreement, the original two felony charges were dropped.  They were aggravated battery and mob action.   The mob action charge alleged that he acted with another in inflicting injury to the juvenile victim.   A 17-year-old male juvenile was also arrested in connection with the incident.

At the time of the incident, Salem Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl said the two allegedly assaulted the 15-year-old student in a hallway and a fistfight ensued.   He said no weapons were involved.