Two charged with death of teen at Lake Villa Allendale Association

LAKE VILLA – Two men were charged Saturday in connection with the death of a juvenile client at the Allendale Association in Lake Villa, Lake County Sheriff's Detective Chris Covelli said.

James E. Davis, 37, of Round Lake is charged with two felonies – involuntary manslaughter and obstruction of justice. Davis’ bail is set at $1 million. Justin J. Serak, 27, of Kenosha, Wis. is charged with obstruction of justice. Serak’s bail is set at $50,000.

Both men are employees of Allendale. The name of the client is withheld since he is a juvenile. The boy was 16-years-old, Covelli said.

Police and firefighters were dispatched about 10 p.m. March 30 to the residential treatment center, at 1 Offield Drive, Lake Villa, on a report of an unresponsive male, according to a news release from the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.

The juvenile was transported to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where he was pronounced dead about 11 p.m., the release stated.

Covelli said accounts from more than 15 witnesses (staff and clients), along with preliminary autopsy results, helped investigators determine that the boy died from asphyxia.

The boy was acting out with a behavioral issue and both men made physical contact to restrain him. There was a struggle between the three subjects. Davis held the boy by his head while Serak held the boy by his upper body. Eventually, Davis put the boy in a chokehold which caused him to go unconscious, Covelli said.

DCFS is also investigating the matter. The Lake County Coroner's Office conducted an autopsy Friday morning. Toxicology results and additional medical records are pending.

Covelli said the men's obstruction of justice charges come from a "fabricated story" of the boy "slipping on water and hitting his head."

Emergency crews arrived to find water at the scene, but it had been poured on the boy in an attempt to "wake him up," Covelli said.

Covelli said the incident is believed to have occurred about 15 minutes before the 911 call from Allendale staff members. Both men are being held at Lake County Jail.