Updated

Authorities say the three boys arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a 15-year-old Northern California girl who later took her own life were initially cited on misdemeanor allegations in the case.

Santa Clara County sheriff's Lt. Jose Cardoza told the San Jose Mercury News (http://bit.ly/17ahlHh) that the investigation in September turned up only enough evidence to support citations for misdemeanor sexual battery.

Deputies arrested three 16-year-old boys last week on suspicion of sexual battery against Audrie Pott, a Saratoga High School sophomore who hanged herself last fall after an explicit photo was circulated of the alleged assault.

Cardoza says the boys weren't taken into custody when they were first cited, and he didn't know if they had appeared at any juvenile court hearings.