Girl who died at counseling center was restrained nine times

A state agency says a seven-year-old girl who suffocated during a control hold at a Rice Lake counseling center had been similarly restrained eight other times.

Angellika Arndt, of Ladysmith, died May 26th at Children's Hospital & Clinics of Minnesota in Minneapolis. It was a day after police were called to the Northwest Counseling and Guidance Clinic on a report that she was unresponsive.

Police say Arndt was a patient at the clinic and had been restrained by staff members for behavioral issues.

The district attorney has said the girl died from complications of chest compression.

The state Department of Health and Family Services found that staff restrained Arndt nine times for one to two hours.

The agency's report says the girl had been put in a hold for "gargling milk" a day before her death.

Rick Pelishek, with Disability Rights Wisconsin, says they are investigating as well.