12 year old boy violates probation
kid is hardcore
PHOENIX (CBS5) -
It was a crime that rocked the nation when an 8-year-old Arizona boy pleaded guilty to shooting and killing his own father and another man.
That was back in 2008, and the boy has spent the past few years locked up in a treatment center in the Valley, but that's all about to change.
"He's only 12 years old, and we still think if there's something out there that would benefit him, we're certainly willing to be a part of that," said Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting.
Those aren't the words we're used to hearing from the people in charge of prosecuting criminals.
But then, this isn't your typical case.
This is the young boy from St. Johns who pulled the trigger of a rifle twice, killing his father and his father's friend.
The then 8-year-old was sent to a facility in the Valley, but according to court records, it might not have been the right fit.
They show the boy has assaulted staff members and fellow detainees, even threatening his therapist by saying, "I should shoot the bitch" while making a shooting gesture with his hand.
In all, court documents show he's violated his probation agreement 25 times in the last two years.
"It's reached the point where we need to look to another facility at this point," Whiting said.
During a court hearing Wednesday, a judge ordered the boy be returned to a new facility until the Petition to Revoke can be addressed.
Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting said the boy will be coming back to Maricopa County. He said the Probation Department is trying to determine where he'll go.
One option is a facility like Secure Care, formerly known as Adobe Mountain School, in the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections.
A representative said kids as young as 10 have been committed there, but that's very rare.
"We're looking to the mental help professionals to try to help us come up with a treatment plan, something that maybe can work with him so that he isn't a danger to society," Whiting said.
The clock is ticking. The state only has six years before the boy ages out of the system.
"It really is a critical juncture, and so we're looking to help him right now because at some point it's likely, or possible, that he will be released back into society," Whiting said.
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PHOENIX (CBS5) -
It was a crime that rocked the nation when an 8-year-old Arizona boy pleaded guilty to shooting and killing his own father and another man.
That was back in 2008, and the boy has spent the past few years locked up in a treatment center in the Valley, but that's all about to change.
"He's only 12 years old, and we still think if there's something out there that would benefit him, we're certainly willing to be a part of that," said Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting.
Those aren't the words we're used to hearing from the people in charge of prosecuting criminals.
But then, this isn't your typical case.
This is the young boy from St. Johns who pulled the trigger of a rifle twice, killing his father and his father's friend.
The then 8-year-old was sent to a facility in the Valley, but according to court records, it might not have been the right fit.
They show the boy has assaulted staff members and fellow detainees, even threatening his therapist by saying, "I should shoot the bitch" while making a shooting gesture with his hand.
In all, court documents show he's violated his probation agreement 25 times in the last two years.
"It's reached the point where we need to look to another facility at this point," Whiting said.
During a court hearing Wednesday, a judge ordered the boy be returned to a new facility until the Petition to Revoke can be addressed.
Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting said the boy will be coming back to Maricopa County. He said the Probation Department is trying to determine where he'll go.
One option is a facility like Secure Care, formerly known as Adobe Mountain School, in the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections.
A representative said kids as young as 10 have been committed there, but that's very rare.
"We're looking to the mental help professionals to try to help us come up with a treatment plan, something that maybe can work with him so that he isn't a danger to society," Whiting said.
The clock is ticking. The state only has six years before the boy ages out of the system.
"It really is a critical juncture, and so we're looking to help him right now because at some point it's likely, or possible, that he will be released back into society," Whiting said.
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