A Commerce Township woman and co-owner of a business in Springfield Township was arraigned on Jan. 3 on two counts of violating the Youth Employment Standard Act following an incident where a minor working at the business had four fingers severed.
The charges stem from an incident in April where a 17-year-old high school student suffered the injury while operating a power press at Century Tool & Die.
Century Tool & Die co-owner Nanette Esker, 47, surrendered to the court and was charged in 52-2 District Court. She was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond according to a press release from Attorney General Mike Cox’s office.
The charges of employing a minor in connection with an occupation that is hazardous or injurious to the minor’s health or personal well being and failing to procure and keep a copy of the work permit for the minor are both misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and a $500 fine.
‘Protection of employees is a high priority of the Attorney General’s office. Especially the enforcement of the Youth Employment Standards Act. We will make it our responsibility to remind employers of their special obligation towards hiring and employing minors,? said Spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office Melissia Christianson
A pretrial conference has been scheduled for Jan. 27 at 8:30 a.m.