Man charged with manslaughter after death of Royalton woman

ROYALTON — A 54-year-old man from Bethel was cited for involuntary manslaughter following the death of a woman in Royalton in February.

This week police issued Jody L. White, 54, of Bethel, a citation to appear in court on November 22.

On February 6, authorities were notified that Crystal Porter, 45, of Royalton, was unresponsive in the front seat of a truck on Route 14 at the intersection with Kingsbury Road.

Police say they attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful.

Her death was ruled an accidental overdose. The investigation ultimately showed that White found Porter unresponsive in the bathroom of his residence at about 10:30 p.m. but failed to provide medical assistance to Porter or call for assistance for over an hour.

Porter was pronounced deceased.

Members of the Vermont State Police Field Force and Criminal divisions responded to the scene and began an investigation.