DETROIT (WWJ) - A 12-year-old suspect has been charged in a gruesome acid attack on a younger girl that was carried out at a Detroit park, authorities announced on Saturday.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a prepared statement that the young girl was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm as well as felonious assault over the July 9th incident at a playground attached to Vernor Elementary School in Detroit.
The family of the victim, identified as 11-year-old Deaira Summers, said she along with her siblings and cousins were at the park when an altercation between an older, unknown child and one of Deaira’s cousins occurred.
"The unknown teenager’s mother brought acid to the park for her child to retaliate," Summers' grandmother, Debra Golston, wrote in a GoFundMe post on Friday. "Deaira and her siblings had left the park, as they were not involved; however, Deaira dropped her purse in her haste to depart. She returned for her purse and was then doused with acid by the older teenager."
According to Golston, Summers sustained second and third degree burns on her back that required a four day stay in the burn unit at Children’s Hospital.
At the time of the GoFundMe post on July 14, Golston wrote that the suspected teenager and her mother had not yet been apprehended and Summers' family may have no choice but to move.
But on Saturday, the charges came down with Worthy denouncing the alleged attack as "extremely troubling."
"Instant horrible decision making can have lifelong effects on others," the Wayne County prosecutor said. "There is no excuse for this."
The juvenile suspect appeared in court on Saturday for a preliminary hearing. A judge gave her a $10,000/% bond with a tether. She was also ordered to not have any contact with the victim or any witnesses.
The young girl was in court for a pre-trial hearing on July 18. Bond remained the same, Worthy said. She is due back in court for another pre-trail hearing on August 1 at 11:30 a.m.
It is unclear if the juvenile's mother will face charges in the incident.
Golston is continuing efforts to support Summers, who just graduated elementary school two weeks ago, and her family by raising money to cover medical expenses and ongoing physical and counseling needs.
"She is lucky to be alive, but will need ongoing care to fully heal from all the wounds she incurred," her grandmother added. "We greatly appreciate all donations and support. If you are unable to contribute at this time, we would also appreciate your sharing this request with family and friends or with others in your community. We thank you so much."
As of 2:00 p.m. on July 18, the crowdfunding page has raised $16,350 out of their $10,000 goal. The fundraiser can be found here.