Ten-Year-Old Girl Charged in Cleveland Attack on Five-Year-Old

A ten-year-old girl has been charged with attempted murder and rape in a shocking case involving a five-year-old girl from Cleveland, Ohio. The incident reportedly occurred in September 2023, when the young victim was found unresponsive and severely injured after leaving her home to play. The accused, along with a nine-year-old boy, faces serious allegations stemming from what prosecutors describe as a brutal attack.

The courtroom was filled with emotion as Antavia Kennibrew, the mother of the five-year-old, spoke about the traumatic experience. According to local news outlet WOIO, she expressed her devastation, stating, “This type of behavior doesn’t deserve grace. They knew what they were doing. And they were okay with that.” Kennibrew detailed the horrific discovery of her daughter, who was found with visible injuries, including hair pulled from her scalp and signs of strangulation.

During the court proceedings, which took place last week, only the ten-year-old girl was present. The nine-year-old boy was absent, with his family citing car troubles as the reason for his nonappearance. Judge Kristin Sweeney ordered that he appear in court within a week or risk arrest. The ten-year-old girl, who was placed under home detention with an electronic monitor, remained silent as the charges were read aloud by the prosecutor.

Reports indicate that the five-year-old exhibited significant trauma, including a large lump on her head and multiple bruises, suggesting she had been beaten and raped. Following a police investigation, both children were charged with attempted murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, and strangulation.

Caitlyn Iodine, the assistant public defender representing the ten-year-old girl, denied all charges and requested her release to family custody. Meanwhile, assistant county prosecutor Oscar Albores advocated for her continued home detention, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. Judge Sweeney, noting the absence of the girl’s parents, agreed to impose home detention as a precautionary measure.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the emotional impact on the families involved remains profound. The case continues to draw attention and raises concerns about the implications of such violent behavior among young children.