WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – A note left in the bathroom allegedly led to a 13-year-old girl stabbing her sister to death over the weekend in Taylor.
On Sept. 28, at around 11 a.m., the children’s parents left the house near Telegraph and Chestnut and had the teen babysit the 7-year-old sister.
Allegedly, the sisters were in a verbal argument over a note that was left in the main-floor bathroom to flush the toilet. After the argument ended, the teen waited in the bathroom until the 7-year-old came in. The teen then allegedly stabbed her sister multiple times with a kitchen knife and a bowie knife.
The 7-year-old was taken to a local hospital, where she later died. Police said the 7-year-old had at least ten stabbing wounds.
The teen, whose identity is being withheld, was charged with First Degree Premeditated Murder, Felony Murder, and Child Abuse in the First Degree.
Taylor police believe mental illness played a role in the deadly stabbing.
“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. 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. Our other option was to keep her in the juvenile system. We opted to do just that. 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.”
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy
The Taylor School District shared that it provides social workers, counselors, and resilience coaches for its community.
“We know that this will affect others throughout our district and our community beyond the buildings that were immediately affected. We encourage anyone who has been affected by this unspeakable tragedy to reach out for support wherever they can, be it through Care Solace, any of the mental health staff that we provide as a district to our students and staff, or to anyone in your life who is there as a support.”
Superintendent Michael B. Wegher
