CLEVELAND — A 9-year-old boy who allegedly assaulted a 5-year-old girl in September was arraigned in Juvenile Court Thursday morning in Judge Kristen Sweeney's courtroom.
The child entered a plea denying the allegations against him, with his attorney requesting a competency evaluation and for him to be released and sent home.
The mother of the 5-year-old attended the arraignment, stating that the children who allegedly assaulted her daughter shouldn't go home, as their home lives contributed to the matter. The mother told the court that the alleged attackers stole her child's innocence.
"I do not believe that these kids should be able to return home. Their behavior that caused them to do something so evil obviously started at home. These kids being at home doesn't give them a chance to think about the damage they have done to my daughter," Antavia Kennibrew said. " Obviously, they are not held accountable for anything. These kids did something horrible. They changed my daughter's life, the way she talks, the way she acts, the way she thinks. They stole her innocence, and it's time for them to start facing the consequences of their actions, period."
Prosecutors requested an ankle monitor for the child during the arraignment, which the judge agreed to as part of house arrest.
Sweeney also asked the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services to conduct an investigation.
A meeting will be held in December for attorneys and the judge to discuss the child's evaluation progress. Judge Sweeney has also called an emergency custody hearing for Friday morning.
Earlier this month, a 10-year-old girl, who is a codefendant of the 9-year-old, was arraigned.
During that hearing, the defense for the 10-year-old girl filed a motion requesting a competency evaluation, citing concerns that the child may not fully understand the proceedings. Judge Sweeney granted the motion.
The prosecution requested that the girl be placed on house arrest with an ankle monitor.
Watch more about the case:
RELATED: 10-year-old girl accused of attacking 5-year-old arraigned
The charges
On Oct. 15, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office announced that the 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.
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
In October, News 5 spoke to the 5-year-old's mother about the alleged attack.
WATCH:
RELATED: Mother seeks justice after 5-year-old daughter allegedly beaten, sexually abused
