MARINETTE — A Marinette man has been accused of homicide in the drowning of a 13-year-old boy Aug. 20 in Marinette.

The Marinette County District Attorney’s Office charged Tylor Robert Birch, 21, with second-degree reckless homicide in connection with the death of Jakob Bowerman, also of Marinette.

Birch made his initial appearance Thursday in Marinette County Circuit Court, where bond was set at $500,000 cash, according to online court records. The initial appearance was adjourned until Sept 22.

The criminal complaint states that Birch was taken into custody on Aug. 21. A 16-year-old was also detained.

Bowerman was pulled from the water by first responders Aug. 20. He died Aug. 23 at St. Vincent Children’s Hospital in Green Bay, Wis., and his autopsy listed the cause of death as drowning.

According to the criminal complaint, the incident took place Aug. 20 at the Marinette pier. Initial statements given to police by Birch and a 16-year-old identified only as “P.C.” claimed that Bowerman jumped into the water voluntarily and began struggling. Both said they attempted to help but were unable to rescue him. A witness nearby called 911 after hearing cries for help.

However, investigators said the story changed the next day. The report states that the 16-year-old told police he and Birch had grabbed Bowerman by the hands and feet, swung him and threw him into the water, despite Bowerman saying he could not swim. According to the criminal complaint, Birch later gave differing accounts, at one point saying he turned away and only heard a splash, and at another acknowledging Bowerman may have been pushed.

Services for Bowerman, who according to his obituary was born in Marquette and grew up in Munising and Marinette, have been set for Tuesday at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising at a later date.