Brother charged in death of boy, 10

RISING SUN, Ind. (WISH) - Family members in Ohio County say a 17-year-old boy is being held in connection with the death of his 10-year-old brother.

State police said a tip led a sheriff's deputy to a wooded area near a park located behind Rising Sun Elementary School. That’s where the deputy discovered the body of 10-year-old Conner Conley.

According to detectives, Conner’s body had been dumped at the location. Officers soon arrested a 17-year-old boy. Family members said the teen is the victim's big brother.

“This bothers me. The whole situation bothers me...I've got a grandson dead and another accused of doing it,” said the teen's grandmother.

Conner Conley was a fifth grader at Ohio County Middle School. Following his death, counselors and ministers made themselves available to students on Monday.

“Conner was a great friend everyone will miss him very dearly,” said classmate Summer Wilkymacky.

Summer's mother added, “The (Conley) family needs to be seen as grieving parents and they need to understand the community is with them and that we are all praying for them.”

Residents in the small town of 2,500 said the boy’s death, and the subsequent arrest, have cast a dark cloud over Rising Sun.

“Everybody is just wondering how this can happen here,” said Jay Keith.

The Ohio County Prosecutor won’t say what led to Conner’s death. An autopsy was completed Tuesday but he was not ready to release the results.

The 17-year-old faces an initial charge of battery causing serious bodily injury. He will be back in court for an initial hearing on December 4.