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In a recent court session, an Ohio juvenile judge delivered a stark warning to a young boy who was a no-show for a hearing concerning serious felony charges. The judge emphasized that failure to appear at any future hearings would result in a warrant being issued for his arrest.
The boy’s co-defendant, a 10-year-old girl, did attend her arraignment at Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, where she faced multiple felony charges. Presiding over the case was Judge Kristin Sweeney.
During the proceedings, the girl’s attorney, public defender Caitlyn Idoine, asserted that her client was not involved in the rape of a 5-year-old autistic child who was discovered last month in Cleveland with severe injuries, including being scalped and beaten. Idoine also highlighted that the young girl might struggle to fully comprehend the charges leveled against her due to her age and potential cognitive issues.
Meanwhile, the 9-year-old boy’s legal representative, Edward Borkowski, requested a postponement of the hearing. He explained that transportation issues had prevented the boy and his family from reaching the court, as reported by Cleveland.com.
Both minors are currently facing a series of serious charges, which include:
- Attempted murder (one count)
- Rape (four counts)
- Felonious assault (two counts)
- Kidnapping (one count)
- Strangulation (one count)
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the incident happened on September 13, at a field in Cleveland, near East 148th Street and St. Clair Avenue.
Police found the victim naked and lying in a fetal position behind the Collinwood Athletic Complex. Her mother said in court Wednesday that she hoped the judge would consider the victim in her decision on how to punish the defendants.
“She has been going through it, and that’s how it should be for the offenders,” Antavia Kennibrew said, according to 19 News. “This type of behavior doesn’t deserve grace.”
The victim’s mother previously said on social media that her daughter had been scalped, assaulted, and beaten after she dropped her off at a family member’s home.
Kennibrew said her daughter walked out of the front door on the day in question, and when she saw her again, her daughter had been so badly beaten that she was unrecognizable.
“What I saw was unbelievable,” she said. “My daughter was not my daughter. Her hair was scalped from her head. She had bruises and blood all over her body. Her eyes were filled with blood. Her lips and mouth were filled with blood. Her nails had debris and dirt in it.”
Several other children reportedly told police that a 10-year-old girl led the victim to the field, where she hit the victim with a rock and undressed her. The children then allegedly sexually assaulted her.
One of the witnesses told police that the defendants urinated on the 5-year-old and ripped one of her braids out.
First responders took her to the Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, where she reportedly remained for several days.
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Assistant county prosecutor Oscar Albores said, “at a minimum,” the female defendant should be on home confinement with an ankle monitor, given the victim’s condition.
Idoine asked Sweeney to release the 10-year-old her to her family. She also argued that putting an ankle monitor on her would cause a potential safety issue.
“If that is, and if someone figures out where she is living, and they know that she is court-ordered to be there, that that could pose a potential safety risk to her and her family,” Idoine said.
Sweeney noted that the 10-year-old’s parents were not present in court with her. A female family member accompanied the child to the hearing, but the exact relationship to the victim is unclear.
Sweeney then agreed with home confinement with ankle monitoring. She also approved the defense’s request for a mental competency evaluation.
Sweeney also agreed to a continuance for the no-show child, and scheduled a hearing for next week.
“They knew what they were doing. And they were okay with that. They even played after not caring about my baby. Remember that,” Kennibrew added.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via GoFundMe]
