TAYLOR (WWJ) -- A 13-year-old girl has been charged with first degree, premeditated murder in the stabbing death of her little sister in their Downriver home.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office released more details about the horrific incident, as charges were announced against the young defendant on Monday.
According to investigators, the sisters' parents went out at around 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, leaving the 13-year-old to babysit her 7-year-old sister at the home on Banner Ave. in Taylor.
At some point the two girls got into an argument, according to prosecutors.
Police said the argument stemmed from a "simple note" that was placed in the bathroom that was about flushing the toilet.
It's alleged that the teen waited in a bathroom in the home for her sister to come in, and then stabbed her multiple times.
After the attack, prosecutors say the 13-year-old called 911.
Police and EMS responded, and the victim was found in the bathroom, suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was taken to a hospital where she died of her injuries.
The teen was arrested at the scene, and charged on Monday as a juvenile with the following counts: First Degree Premeditated Murder, Felony Murder and Child Abuse - First Degree.
In a statement, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy explained the reasoning behind charging the defendant as a juvenile:
"There is absolutely no doubt that the facts in this case are horrific. It is beyond disturbing that the alleged person responsible for the stabbing death of her 7-year-old sister is 13 years old," Worthy said.
“We considered adult designating her which is not the same thing as trying her as an adult. It gives the judge the option of sentencing the respondent as a juvenile, or as an adult, or giving a blended juvenile sentence with an option of imposing an adult sentence if the juvenile is not rehabilitated. Our other option was to keep her in the juvenile system. We opted to do just that. Given her young age, the State would have seven years to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate her until her mandatory release at age 21. Hopefully then she would not be a danger to others. While this is a difficult decision given these facts, it is the right thing to do in this case.”
Due to her age, and being charged as a juvenile, the defendant's name and photo will not be released.
The teen did make a brief appearance before a referee in the Lincoln Hall of Justice on Monday, but the preliminary hearing was ultimately postponed until Tuesday to allow her mother to attend.