Fergus Falls Man Facing Murder Charges after 11-Year-Old Dies

FERGUS FALLS (KDLM) – A Fergus Falls man has now been charged with murder after an 11 year-old boy he’s accused of beating has died.

Reggie Bethel has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter.

On July 29, 2021 law enforcement responded to an emergency call and were told the child had slipped, fell and suffered a head injury. Police say investigators and Lake Region Healthcare determined that the child had been assaulted by 56-year-old Reggie Bethel, who lived in the home.

Bethel later told investigators that he was frustrated with the child, grabbed him by both sides of his head and hit the boy’s head against the wall four to five times. Bethel allegedly admitted to lying in his initial statement because he was scared, as well as admitted to telling the boy’s mother to lie.