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Judge Places 9-Year-Old in County Custody in Cleveland Assault Case as Competency Reviews Begin

The decision reflects concerns about the boy's home stability, with a January review of psychiatric evaluations expected.

Overview

  • The 9-year-old was moved into the county child-welfare agency’s emergency custody and residential placement after his mother was hospitalized and his father was confirmed deceased.
  • Both the 9-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl denied charges and were earlier ordered to home detention with electronic monitoring as the juvenile cases proceed.
  • Judge Kristin Sweeney ordered competency evaluations for both children, with the court planning to reconvene in January to review the experts’ findings.
  • Prosecutors told the court that evidence indicates the boy was one of two primary assailants, while witnesses reported seeing three children involved.
  • Authorities say the 5-year-old autistic victim was found hours after the September attack with severe injuries and required days of hospitalization, as investigators continue to limit public details.