Major Ruling Made In Apple Valley Waterslide Incident

APPLE VALLEY, MN — A Maple Grove man accused of picking up an 8-year-old boy and pushing him over the railing of waterslide has been ruled incompetent to stand trial. Roman Adams, 19, was charged with felony third-degree assault in connection with the July 31 incident at the Apple Valley Aquatic Center.

Adams told police the line for the waterslide was taking too long so he pushed the 8-year-old and watched him fall, according to the criminal complaint.

The boy fell more than 30 feet to the ground. He suffered several fractures to both his feet, a broken femur in one leg, and shattered bones in a shoulder, according to authorities.

Judge Timothy McManus Tuesday ruled that Adams' case cannot proceed because of "mental illness," KARE 11 reported. Adams has severe autism, according to his attorney Eric Nelson.

"It does not come as a surprise, given the severity of his disabilities," Nelson told the news station of the ruling.

"This obviously is a very tragic case and difficult to deal with. But it was very obvious from the first time I met Adams that he suffers from profound disabilities and needs to stay his treatment course."

According to Minnesota law, a defendant is incompetent and must not plead, be tried, or be sentenced if the defendant due to mental illness or cognitive impairment lacks ability to:

(a) rationally consult with counsel; or
(b) understand the proceedings or participate in the defense.

Witnesses said there was no interaction between the two prior to the incident. The boy and Adams did not know each other, according to investigators.

The waterpark was closed for the remainder of the day after the fall.

A fundraising page has been established for the victim.

The case will not move forward unless Tuesday's ruling is reversed. KARE 11 says a March 4 hearing is set to review the case.

Top image via Dakota County Sheriff's Office