A judge handed down a homicide conviction for the Rice Lake Treatment Center where a 7-year-old girl died and found the man who held her down at the center guilty of negligent abuse.

Angelika Arndt died in May after she was restrained at the center

29-year-old Bradley Ridout covered Angie Arndt’s upper body with his own body to restrain her. Tuesday, he pleaded no contest and was convicted of negligent abuse. Investigators say his weight prevented her from breathing and she died in a Minnesota hospital the next day.
The center he worked for also pleaded no contest to homicide charges. The state says the Rice Lake Treatment Center failed to properly train Ridout and its employees restrained Arndt almost every day. The district attorney says she's satisfied with the outcome.

“The benefit for everybody I see is having the corporation take responsibility for Angie’s death and having Mr. Ridout take responsibility for his actions that contributed to her death,” Angela Holmstrom says.

After Ridout left the court, his wife, parents, and family surrounded him as he talked about his feelings and decision.

“My entire family and I wish to express our deep sadness over the loss of Angie,” he said. “I regret that any of my actions to help protect this girl may actually have caused her harm. I understand the demand for personal responsibility. I hope that my decision not to contest the charge is the first step in allowing everyone involved with this tragedy to begin to heal, and to move forward. Thank you."

Holmstrom hopes Arndt’s family can start to find closure. They didn't want to talk after the hearing, but in June, Arndt’s foster parents told WEAU they wanted justice for Angie.

"We’re just hoping the investigators and district attorney make somebody responsible for it," Donna Pavlik said.

The judge set sentencing for Ridout and the Care Center for December 27.

CLICK HERE to read the plea agreement.

CLICK HERE to see Ridout’s statement.