Man charged with homicide in girl's death

FARMINGTON — A registered sex offender has been charged with second-degree felony child abuse homicide in the death of a 16-year-old Bountiful girl who took a lethal dose of antidepressant pills.

Walter Andrew White, 39, of Woods Cross is accused of providing the pills to Samantha Mikesell.

Charging papers say he provided the "planning, instruction, transportation and the location to facilitate the victim's death."

White appeared in 2nd District Court on Wednesday.

He also is charged with third-degree felony unlawful sexual activity with a minor, third-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year old, third-degree felony dealing in harmful material to a minor, third-degree felony obstructing justice and third-degree felony desecration of a human body.

Public defender Todd Utzinger, who has been appointed to represent White, said his client "cared about her a great deal. He had strong feelings about her."

Samantha's body was found July 6 in the Bountiful foothills. She was last seen alive on July 1 when she went to work at Dee's Family Restaurant. Her parents called police that night when she failed to return home.

A toxicology report from the state medical examiners office showed that Samantha had seven times the lethal dose of imipramine in her system, police said.