A 10-year-old girl from Wisconsin is facing allegations of deliberately causing the death of a six-month-old infant. Her initial appearance took place in an adult court setting.
As per the New York Post, the girl, whose identity remains undisclosed due to her age, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide following the death of a six-month-old baby boy in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on November 1.
Appearing in restraints, the girl attended her first bond hearing at a Chippewa County Circuit Court, accompanied by her parents. The session, captured on video, lasted a mere 10 minutes, during which the girl reportedly cried continuously. Circuit Judge James Isaacson set her bond at $50,000 cash and ordered her placement in a juvenile detention center.
On October 30, the tragic incident unfolded at a licensed day care facility situated in the rural community of Wheaton. Upon receiving a 911 call, law enforcement arrived to find the six-month-old victim in an unresponsive state, with bleeding evident from the head. The infant succumbed to the injuries two days later at Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul, as reported by the Post.
According to the Star Tribune, authorities at the scene conducted inquiries, speaking with one adult and three children who were present during the incident at the daycare. Following their investigation, they swiftly identified the 10-year-old girl as their primary suspect.
Chippewa County Sheriff James Kowalczyk disclosed that the girl informed authorities that she had been holding the baby when she accidentally dropped him, resulting in a head injury.
When the baby started crying, the girl reacted with panic and subsequently stomped on the baby's head. Kowalczyk confirmed that a local physician concluded the head injuries were not accidental. Prosecutors asserted in court on November 5 that the infant's death resulted from the girl's panicked response to the crying baby.
People reported that Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell told the court: "She panicked and didn't know what to do and didn't want to get into trouble, and then she proceeded to stomp on the 6-month-old's head."
In accordance with Wisconsin state law, any child aged 10 or above facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, or reckless homicide must have their initial court appearance in an adult court.
Juveniles below the age of 15 who face adult trials can be placed in secure custody within a juvenile detention center or the juvenile section of a county jail. Presently, the 10-year-old girl is housed in the former facility.
While the girl's initial court appearance adhered to state law by being in an adult court, the Tribune indicated that her case might eventually be transferred to the state juvenile court system. As of now, there are no indications from the presiding judge regarding such a transfer.
Reflecting on his four decades in Wisconsin law enforcement, Kowalczyk, in an interview with KSTP reporters, expressed his inability to recall a case involving such aggressive charges against a defendant as young as this 10-year-old.
