TAYLOR (WWJ) — A Taylor teen accused of stabbing her younger sister to death could now spend the rest of her life in jail.
On Monday the 13-year-old girl was charged with first-degree premeditated murder in connection with her 7-year-old sister's death last Saturday.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office on Thursday amended the case as new facts have come to light. She has now been given an adult designation.
That does not mean she is being charged as an adult. But if convicted, the judge has the option of sentencing her as a juvenile, as an adult or a combination if the judge decides she can't be rehabilitated. Without the adult designation, the girl would be looking at mandatory release at the age of 21.
The prosecutor's office did not release any details as to what new information led them to the adult designation.
According to investigators, the sisters' parents went out at around 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, leaving the teen to babysit her younger sister at the home on Banner Avenue in Taylor.
At some point the two girls got into an argument, according to prosecutors.
Police officials said the argument stemmed from a "simple note" that was placed in the bathroom about flushing the toilet.
The teen allegedly waited in a bathroom in the home for her sister to come in, then stabbed her multiple times. The older sister called 911 after the attack, police officials said.
The younger girl was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
"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," Prosecutor Kym Worthy said earlier this week.
Worthy had said on Monday her office had considered an adult designation, but opted to keep her in the juvenile system
"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," Worthy said previously.
WWJ is not releasing the name of the girl, as she is a minor and is not being charged as an adult.
