IONIA, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The owner of an Ionia County meat business must pay a nearly $1,200 fine, but will avoid jail time, after a 17-year-old worker lost his hand in a grinder.

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Ionia County Judge Ray Voet called the accident a “horrible tragedy” but said it did not warrant jail or probation for Darin Wilbur. He pleaded guilty.

A teenager lost his hand in 2019 while working at US Guys Processing in Saranac. State regulators investigated Wilbur for employing a minor and not securing work permits.

In addition, the judge noted the teen was just two months away from turning 18. Wilbur’s defense attorney Howard said Wilbur hired the high school dropout as a way to help him. He said the boy was warned to never put his hand inside the grinder.