By Matt Unruh ~ Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND – Joseph Rykiel, of Great Bend pleaded to involuntary manslaughter in the July 4th death of 15-year-old Jessica Shearer of Garden City.

Shearer had reportedly ran away from the Barton County Youth Home three days prior to her body being found in a home on July 4, of last year, where Rykeil was renting a room in Great Bend.

It was reported that prescription drugs from the homeowners were found in Rykiel’s room when Shearer’s body was found.