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Lawyer: Ammonia Teen Needs Time

By VALERIE KALFRIN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

TAMPA - A lawyer representing the 16-year-old boy authorities say punctured an ammonia pipeline in Riverview on Monday while drilling for money said he hopes people will "take a deep breath" and allow the boy to recover before pursuing a criminal case.

Meanwhile, county environmental scientists confirmed a "fairly substantial" fish kill related to the ammonia leak occurred early in the week downstream from the U.S. 301 bridge. Most of the fish were bait fish such as sardines, anchovies, killifish and some small mullet.

The ammonia, which is a form of nitrogen, still could fuel a large algae bloom in the near future, which could kill additional fish, said Richard Boler, an environmental scientist with the county Environmental Protection Commission.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is pursuing criminal charges against the 16-year-old, whom so far investigators have not identified. The teenager was with two other teens Monday when he drilled into the pipe after hearing a story about money buried near the Alafia River, authorities said.

The ammonia cloud that was released forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents.
Sandy Weinberg of Tampa, who represents the youth, said the boy was "seriously burned" over nearly 20 percent of his body after puncturing the pipeline.

"Right now the family and he are trying to focus on him getting better," Weinberg said Friday. "Unfortunately, he's going to be laid up for a while."

The boy turned 16 a few weeks ago and never has been in trouble, Weinberg said.

"We certainly don't believe there was any intent to commit a criminal act," Weinberg said. "Hopefully, everyone will take a deep breath and allow him to get better."

Reporters Mike Wells and Mike Salinero contributed to this report. Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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