Owner of Michigan meat processing company pleads guilty to illegally employing minor who lost hand
(CBS DETROIT) - A Michigan man has pleaded guilty after being accused of illegally hiring a minor who lost their hand on the job.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday that Darin Wilbur, 55, of Saranac, pleaded guilty to one count of employing a minor in a dangerous profession. Officials say a judge ordered a pre-sentencing investigation before sentencing.
State officials say the 17-year-old employee suffered an amputation while working at an Ionia County meat processing company, US Guys Processing, in November 2019. The teen was operating a meat grinder under Wilbur's supervision at the time of the incident, according to a press release.
The Michigan Wage and Hour Division received a referral about a serious injury of a minor, leading to an investigation. The division determined the teen was illegally employed and Wilbur did not ensure the minor obtained a work permit, which is required for workers under 18 in the state.
"Our labor laws were written to protect children from dangerous workplaces; however, they lack the teeth needed to properly hold bad employers accountable for violations," Nessel said in a statement. "This case highlights the need to strengthen these protections, as well as the consequences for violations, and I look forward to working with the legislature on this critical work to protect the state's youth."