HUMBOLDT, Tenn. (TCN) — A child faces a charge of murder in connection with the suffocating death of her young cousin.
According to the 28th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, on July 15, a 12-year-old girl allegedly used bedding to fatally smother her 8-year-old cousin while she was sleeping in the top bunk of their bed. Following the child’s death, the suspect reportedly “cleaned up the victim and repositioned her body.” WREG-TV identified the victim as Demeria Hollingsworth. Authorities obtained home surveillance footage of the incident.
Hollingsworth and her cousin were reportedly visiting family and staying with their grandmother at the time. The victim’s mother told WREG an argument over an iPhone led to their issues.
28th Judicial District Attorney General Frederick Agee said his office is seeking to transfer the suspect to Circuit Court to be tried as an adult, which allows for a longer sentence if the trial ends with a conviction. The 12-year-old faces charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Agee called it one of “the most disturbing, violent acts committed by either an adult or juvenile that my office has prosecuted.”
Prosecutors said the suspect will turn 13 years old next week.
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