AURORA | Police say an 11-year-old Centennial boy faces murder charges linked to the death of his 5-year-old brother and is being held in a juvenile detention facility.
“Investigators with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office have determined that the suspect in the death of a 5-year-old boy is the victim’s 11-year-old brother,” Arapahoe County sheriff department investigators said in a statement. “The case is being investigated as a homicide. The cause of death remains under investigation.”
Earlier Wednesday, sheriff officials said only that the death of a 5-year-old boy in the 5200 block of South Jerico Way in Centennial was under investigation.
“The juvenile suspect is currently in custody at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center in Centennial,” sheriff spokesperson Ginger Delgado said in a statement. “He is facing charges of first-degree murder.”
“Our hearts go out to the family of these two young boys and to everyone in our community who is grieving
this loss,” Sheriff Tyler Brown said in a statement. “Cases involving the homicide of children are among the most difficult our deputies and investigators face. We know tragedies like this impact not only the family, but also classmates, teachers, and neighbors throughout the community.”
Officials said that because both the victim and the suspect are minors, information released about the case will be limited.
So sorry for the parents. Have lost two sons.
What a tragedy! I question the idea of prosecuting the older boy on a charge of first degree murder. That is a charge against an adult capable of fully understanding the finality of murder. There must be other laws more applicable to an eleven year old.
Unless mentally-challenged, an eleven-year-old understands.
Was this an accidental death due to uncontrolled rage?
The punishment must be beyond taking his phone away and not letting him watch tv. I’m sure this is not the first time this has happened and it sounds like long term counseling would be part of the rehabilitation. There must be children that have come back better off after some kind of treatment for this situation.