$1M Award Rejected Over 2011 Arkansas Playground Death

Arkansas lawmakers have rejected awarding $1 million to the family of a 9-year-old killed when an unanchored soccer goal fell on him two years ago.

The Joint Budget Committee on failed to advance the award for the family of Jonathan Nelson. A claims subcommittee had recommended the award.

The proposal received 23 votes but needed at least 29 from the 56-member budge panel.

The Department of Finance and Administration opposed the claim, citing the impact it would have on the state’s budget.

Jonathan was a fourth-grader at Elm Tree Elementary School in Bentonville when he was killed by the falling soccer goal. His family filed a claim against the Department of Human Services, which licensed an after-school program that operated at the elementary school.