Man accused in child’s canal drowning pleads not guilty

The man accused of contributing to the death of an Ohio 7-year-old who drowned in a valley canal, pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter, child abuse, and two counts of driving under the influence.

Heinrich Paul Boykins, 56, was expected to attend a pre-trial hearing Monday, and a preliminary hearing on Aug. 17, according to Darlene Hale at the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office. His arraignment was held Aug. 5.

Annie Lee Palmer’s body was found in the Coachella Canal on July 30, two days after she went missing. Her father told reporters in Ohio that she was visiting her grandmother in Niland at the time.

Boykins is Palmer’s step-grandfather.

A go-fund-me page created on July 29 by Jessica Williams says “Annie Lee Palmer disappeared while swimming on Tuesday in Slab City, California on vacation visiting her grandma, it was a (misfortunate) accident and she was swept away by a strong current. Her body was found 15 miles away. We are trying to raise $1,750 to bring her body back to Ohio and then the remaining to help bury her. She touched so many lives in the time she was here and was loved by so many please help bring our baby back.”

Another go-fund-me page was also set up by Tanya Palmer, who writes that she is the girl’s aunt.

Boykins is being held on $175,000 bail at the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office jail in El Centro.