Overview
- Judge Kristin Sweeney granted emergency custody of the 9-year-old to Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services, noting his mother is hospitalized and his father is deceased.
- The boy denied attempted murder and rape charges at Thursday’s arraignment, and a 10-year-old co-defendant previously entered denials to the same counts.
- Both children were initially ordered to home detention with electronic monitoring, and the judge requested a child-welfare investigation.
- Competency evaluations were ordered for both defendants, with the court expecting to reconvene in January to review findings.
- Prosecutors said evidence indicates the boy was one of two primary assailants; authorities reported the 5-year-old victim suffered severe injuries requiring hospitalization, and her mother urged the court not to return the accused to their homes.