STATE BRIEFS: Adoptive dad charged in death of boy,7

BRADENTON -- The adoptive father of a 7-year-old boy who police say was beaten and starved to death now faces a first degree murder charge.

A grand jury Friday indicted Joseph Ciambrone, 41, in the May 13 death of young Lucas. His wife, Heather, 26, was indicted on the first degree murder charged Wednesday.

When the child died he had more than 200 injuries including 5 broken ribs, official said.

He weighed 27 pounds, half the normal weight for a boy his age.

A medical examiner concluded a blow to the head that killed Lucas, an emotionally troubled boy, could not have been self-inflicted or accidental.

Gov. Lawton Chiles appointed a panel to review the case and propose improvements to the state child protection system.