2 charged in Brockport boys' deaths at Letchworth falls
State Park Police and Wyoming County authorities say two Rochester-area men are responsible for the deaths of two young boys who fell into the water and over the 70-foot Lower Falls at Letchworth State Park.
A Wyoming County grand jury Tuesday indicted two men, Chad Staley, 32, and Tyler Jennings,34, on charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the deaths of the boys.
On June 12, a group they were in left a designated trail at the Letchworth State Park and entered the water above the falls. Preston and Dylan Giangregorio, ages 6 and 9, went into the water and were washed away. The brothers were Brockport students — Preston a kindergartner at Ginther School and Dylan a third-grader at Barclay School.
Five others also were swept away, and survived.
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One who "recklessly" causes the death of another can be convicted of second-degree manslaughter in New York.
"It is alleged that the two defendants and the five children made their way towards the Lower Falls so that they could see the falls up close," according to a news release. "They made their way above the falls where the children were allegedly allowed to enter the water.
"The five children ranged in ages from 5 to 12 years. It is then alleged that while the children were in water above the falls they began to lose their footing due to the strong current. The defendants were unable to keep the children and themselves from going over the falls. Mr. Staley was stuck on (the) brink of the falls for almost two hours until he was saved by the Rope Rescue team."
Staley and Jennings also face multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
"While this case is truly tragic and our hearts go out to the family of the Giangregorio family, it is important to note that their deaths were 100 percent preventable," District Attorney Donald O'Geen said in the release. "After reviewing the thorough investigation completed by members of the (state) Park Police, and personally surveying the area above the Lower Falls I felt that a review by the members of the Wyoming County grand jury was warranted and the indictment in this case was the result of their decision."
Staley and Jennings have been released on their own recognizance. Motion arguments in the case are scheduled for Jan. 12.
GCRAIG@Gannett.com