Murder charge filed in death of boy, 4

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The 14-year-old accused of stabbing her 4-year-old cousin to death has been charged with one count of murder, and prosecutors want her tried as an adult.

The girl appeared scared and sad as she entered a juvenile courtroom Wednesday afternoon. Her family members were in the courtroom Wednesday.

With her long mane pulled back in a ponytail, the teen sat with her hands clasped, tapping her right foot. The teen’s grandparents and mother sat at the table with her.

Courtroom administrators kept the girls mother, Samantha Brown, from sitting next to the teen. But that didn’t stop Brown from blowing her daughter kisses and mouthing, “I love you.”

Barely speaking above a whisper, the 14-year-old told a judge she understood the charge against her, murder. As the judge explained the charges, the teen wiped away tears, and so did other supporters in the courtroom, which was filled to capacity.

The attorney representing the girl, Robert Newell, said he will fight to have the case remain in juvenile court.

“It’s just a tragedy on every level,” Newell said. “A 4-year-old boy is dead, and a 14-year-old girl who has been alleged to be responsible for that.”

Prosecuting Attorney Peter Haughan said the state has already proved the three elements needed to have the case waived to adult court: that the child is charged with an act that would be murder if committed by an adult; that the child was 10 or older; and that there is probable cause to believe the child committed the act.

As Haughan made his case, he told the judge: “She is a danger to herself and members of the community.”

The teen will remain in custody at the juvenile detention center. The juvenile court judge will make the final decision on whether she will be tried as an adult. A hearing on the matter will take place in six to eight weeks.

The teen goes back before a judge at 9 a.m. June 6 for pretrial hearing.

Wednesday, the judge denied a request to release the probable cause affidavit, which details the incident and what led up to it. The judge denied the request because of the nature of the case.