Months after a New York City soldier’s death, the army admits to the soldier’s family that he may have been mistreated, and even abused, before he apparently took his own life. Rebecca Spitz has more.

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NEW YORK CITY — There may never be closure for Private Danny Chen’s family but for now, at least there’s some validation.

Wednesday, advocates for the 19-year-old found dead in Afghanistan met with the U.S. Army which conceded Chen was subjected to repeated mistreatment and abuse to the point he took his own life.

Elizabeth OuYang, President of the Organization of Chinese Americans said, “Almost immediately after he arrived, Danny was required to do exercises which quickly within a few days crossed over to abuse.”

The Army spent four hours with the Chen family and admitted he was forced to crawl with sandbags on his back and duck rocks thrown at him to resemble artillery fire. He withstood racial slurs because he was Chinese American. And it didn’t stop there.

OuYang said, “On September 27th, Danny was assaulted, a sergeant dragged him out of his bed over 50 meters of gravel to the shower trailer and told you broke the hot water pump. He had bruises and cuts on his back.”

And the Army admits Chen’s Platoon Sergeant and Platoon leader knew about that attack but did not report it.

The interpreter for Su Zhen Chen, Danny’s mother, said, “The mother says that you think after all these months the pain would subside.”

With all the information they gave, the Army did not release Chen’s autopsy report or the journal he kept.

We spoke with the attorney representing the Chen family; he said the amount of time the Army spent at their meeting suggests it is taking Private Chen’s death and the circumstances surrounding it very seriously.

Attorney Richard Meadow said, “My partner who was with me, was a fifteen year JAG officer and senior prosecutor in Abu Ghraib said he’s never been at an Army presentation where a three star general attended.”

The Chens said they still have many questions. Mostly, they are interested in where the eight men arrested in connection with Chen’s death will be tried.

The interpreter for Yan Tao Chen, Danny’s Father, said, “He would definitely prefer the trial to be held in the United States.”

The Chens fear if it were in Afghanistan, they wouldn’t be able to watch justice being served in the way they, and their son, would like.