A 13-year-old girl from Taylor, Michigan, has been charged in connection with the tragic stabbing death of her 7-year-old sister over the weekend, according to prosecutors. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the 14200 block of Banner Avenue, where Taylor police responded to a report of a stabbing.
When officers arrived, they discovered the young victim in the bathroom suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but later died from her injuries. Authorities have confirmed that the two sisters were home alone at the time of the incident, with the older sibling tasked with babysitting her younger sister.
According to police, the sisters got into an argument before the 13-year-old allegedly waited in the bathroom for her sister to enter. Once the younger girl was inside, the teen reportedly stabbed her several times with a knife. The older sister then called 911 to report the incident, according to Fox 2.
The 13-year-old has been charged as a juvenile, facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, and first-degree child abuse. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy commented on the severity of the case, stating, “There is absolutely no doubt that the facts in this case are horrific. It is beyond disturbing that the alleged person responsible for the stabbing death of her seven-year-old sister is thirteen years old.”
Prosecutor Worthy explained the decision not to designate the teen as an adult in the legal process. “We considered adult designating her which is not the same thing as trying her as an adult. It gives the judge the option of sentencing the respondent as a juvenile, or as an adult, or giving a blended juvenile sentence with an option of imposing an adult sentence if the juvenile is not rehabilitated.”
Worthy added, “Given her young age, the State would have seven years to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate her until her mandatory release at age 21. Hopefully, then she would not be a danger to others. While this is a difficult decision given these facts, it is the right thing to do in this case.”
The young teen is scheduled to appear in court on Monday afternoon for a preliminary hearing, where further legal proceedings will take place regarding the tragic incident that has shocked the community.