Elmira man charged in teen overdose death

AnElmira man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the overdose death ofHeidelberg teen Austin Padaric.

Padaric, 17, died in a Hamilton hospital in April, a week after he consumed painkillers at a party the suspects apartment in Elmira.

The suspect,Quin James Kurtz,already faces half a dozen drug related charges in connection with the incident, say police. Police called the manslaughter charge in this situation a rare case.

We have not had many cases like this in recent memory, said police spokesperson Olaf Heinzel.

Christine Padaric, Austins mother described the news of the charge as bittersweet.

I really wish that no other parent will have to lose a child in such a senseless way, she said.