News

Former Maine jail guard found guilty in crash that killed 9-year-old

Former Maine jail guard found guilty in crash that killed 9-year-old

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


A former Cumberland County corrections officer has been found guilty of manslaughter for the death of a 9-year-old girl.

According to the Portland Press Herald, the verdict was reached in court on Thursday.

64-year-old Kenneth Morang fell asleep at the wheel after two consecutive 16-hour shifts in July of 2019 and rear-ended an SUV. Raelynn Bell, who was in the SUV, died days later from brain injuries.

Prosecutors say Morang was criminally responsible for the death because he got behind the wheel despite knowing he was too tired to drive safely.

His defense argued that the state didn’t have evidence to prove Morang was aware that he was in no state to drive a vehicle.

Morang will remain free on no-cash bail conditions until he reports to state prison at a later date.

He faces up to 25 years behind bars. His sentencing date has not been set.

Latest Headlines

9 hours ago in Local, Sports

Cooper Flagg Is NBA Rookie of the Year

DALLAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg set a host of records for an NBA teenager in an also-ran season for the Dallas Mavericks. Kon…

19 hours ago in Local

Update: Fire Damages Home, Destroys Barn in Augusta

Fire destroyed a barn and damaged a home in Augusta on Monday.

20 hours ago in Local

Portland Residential Building Fire Disrupts Munjoy Hill Neighborhood

Portland firefighters say there's no information yet on the cause of the fire.

20 hours ago in Local

Brush Fire Burns Nearly an Acre in New Gloucester

Crews were on the scene for nearly three hours Sunday afternoon.

24 hours ago in Local

Swanville man arrested again for sex crimes

A Waldo County man is facing sex crime charges for the second time this year.