Just as his trial was set to begin Monday, a 10-year-old boy entered a plea admitting to attempted rape and felonious assault for his role in an attack on a 5-year-old girl last year in Cleveland.
Watch the full video below:
The 10-year-old boy, identified in court as M.B. to protect his identity, is set to appear in court on Nov. 20 for sentencing.
RELATED: Mother seeks justice after 5-year-old daughter allegedly beaten, sexually abused
The court discussed possible consequences M.B. could face, such as a commitment to a private residential treatment facility, a fine, community control or probation.
Following M.B.’s plea, the 11-year-old girl, identified in court as M.H. to protect her identity, appeared. Her attorney asked the judge to pause the trial after learning about M.B.’s plea agreement and planned testimony. The judge denied the request, saying the defense knew a plea deal was possible and had enough time to discuss it.
The trial then moved forward. In opening statements, prosecutors told the court the 5-year-old victim encountered a group of children who took her to a field and assaulted her. Prosecutors allege M.H. encouraged the others that if they participated, she would let the victim go afterward.
The defense argued the state could not prove all charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Attorneys urged the court to focus on inconsistencies in testimony and evidence, including DNA findings, before reaching a verdict.
The prosecutor said they have more than two dozen witnesses that will testify. On Monday, five witnesses took the stand, including two children as young as 6 years old. Both testified about witnessing and participating in the attack on the 5-year-old girl.
The children told the court they took the victim to a field, where the assault happened. Both testified that M.H. strangled the little girl while M.B. threw rocks at her. They also described other assaults that were too graphic to share. The children said they took part because they were afraid of M.H. and told jurors she threatened them if they refused to participate.
Testimony is expected to resume Tuesday. A plea agreement could still be reached at any time for M.H. Meanwhile, M.B. is expected to testify Wednesday, and he will be sentenced on Nov. 20.
Watch more about the case:
RELATED: 10-year-old girl accused of attacking 5-year-old arraigned
The charges
On Oct. 15, 2025, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office announced that the then 10-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy were charged with allegedly assaulting the 5-year-old girl in a wooded area off East 148th Street in September 2025.
They were charged with:
- One count of attempted murder
- Four counts of rape
- Two counts of felonious assault
- One count of kidnapping
- One count of strangulation
The other charges the boy was facing were dropped amid his plea change.
RELATED:
- 9-year-old boy accused of attacking 5-year-old arraigned
- 10-year-old girl accused of attacking 5-year-old arraigned
What happened?
The 5-year-old's mother, Antavia Kennibrew, said she dropped her daughter off at a family member's home on Sept. 13, 2025. Later that day, she received a phone call saying her daughter had left the house on her own and was missing.
A police report stated that a witness saw three juveniles, whom police previously said in a statement were all under the age of 10, take her to a wooded area in the 1000 block of East 148th Street and physically and sexually assault her.
The specifics of the assault are too disturbing to share, but details in the police report support Kennibrew's claim that her daughter was viciously attacked.
Kennibrew said she met her daughter after the incident in an ambulance, and the girl was unconscious and covered in dirt, blood and bruises.
The Cleveland Division of Police Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit investigated the case.
WATCH MORE ABOUT THE CASE:
