Sioux Falls Man Charged in Death of Teenage Girl at Lake Madison

More than five months after a 13-year-old Sioux Falls girl was killed on Lake Madison, a man has been arrested in connection to her death.

Dakota News Now is reporting that Kent Duncan, also from Sioux Falls, has been charged with one count of reckless operation, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Authorities say the 43-year-old Duncan was traveling over 35 miles per hour on a jet ski on Lake Madison, July 3rd, when he struck and killed Emily Gorman, who was riding on a tube that was being pulled by another jet ski at the time.

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In a statement on the arrest, Lake County State’s Attorney Wendy Kloeppner said

'After reviewing the investigatory materials, I feel this is the only charge supported by the evidence.'

The case was investigated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

Duncan is scheduled to appear in a Lake County courtroom January 18. He faces a maximum of one year in jail and fines up to $2,000 if convicted.

Following the arrest, the Gorman family also issued a statement:

'We are devastated by the unimaginable loss of our dear Emmy. This has been an incredibly difficult time for us. We are grateful for the unwavering commitment and efforts of law enforcement officers and detectives in their ongoing investigation into Emmy’s death. During this time, we request privacy as we navigate the criminal process and seek justice for our daughter.'

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