A doctor who administered a chemical treatment that state police said killed a 5-year-old autistic boy surrendered to authorities Thursday.

Police charged Dr. Roy E. Kerry of South Pymatuning Township with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Abubakar Tariq Nadama, who went into cardiac arrest at Kerry’s office immediately after receiving chelation therapy on Aug. 23, 2005.

Chelation removes heavy metals from the body and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating acute heavy metal poisoning, but not for treating autism. Some people believe autism is caused by heavy metal poisoning.

Kerry, 69, was released on nominal bond after his arraignment on charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment, defense attorney Robert DelGreco Jr. said.

State police contend Kerry, who practices out of his Advanced Integrative Medicine Centers in Hempfield Township and Portersville, was “grossly negligent” in the boy’s death.

DelGreco did not respond directly to the allegations, but said “it was obviously a tragedy and one that continues to sadden everyone involved, including Dr. Kerry.”

The boy’s parents had previously filed a wrongful death suit against Kerry. The state also is trying to revoke his medical license.

Butler County District Attorney Randa Clark said Kerry could face jail time if he is convicted of all counts. Because he has no prior convictions, however, he is unlikely to face the maximum sentence of decades in prison, Clark said.

She said the investigation, which took nearly two years to complete, was complex. Investigators talked to several doctors about Kerry’s methods and one is prepared to testify that his treatment of Nadama constituted gross negligence, she said.

The boy’s parents, Mawra and Rufai Nadama, had moved from Plymouth, England, to the Pittsburgh area to seek treatment for the boy’s autism.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the boy was given a synthetic amino acid to rid his body of heavy metals, instead of a similar chemical with a calcium additive. Both are odorless, colorless liquids and may have been confused, the CDC found.

The additive is used to replenish calcium, the loss of which can cause sudden cardiac arrest.

The family’s attorney in the wrongful death suit, John Gismondi, said criminal charges are rarely filed in disputes over medical treatment.

“Most medical situations don’t involve criminal charges,” Gismondi said. “They may involve civil litigation, but I think criminal charges are warranted and I think the state of Pennsylvania obviously agrees because they’re looking to revoke his medical license.”

The Department of State, which licenses physicians, filed six disciplinary charges in September against Kerry.