Fergus Falls Man Could Serve up to 12.5 Years in Prison for Death of 11 Year-Old Boy

FERGUS FALLS (KDLM) – A Fergus Falls man could serve up to 12.5 years in prison for killing an 11 year-old boy.

Reggie Bethel has accepted a plea agreement to second-degree murder and could serve up to 12.5 years in prison, though it could be lowered to around 10 years. Two counts of manslaughter will be dismissed. Bethel is set to plea in court on Jan. 10. 

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.