HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — A 12-year-old girl in Tennessee has been charged with murder, accused of smothering her 8-year-old cousin as the younger girl slept. A relative said they had been arguing over an iPhone.
A security camera recorded the killing, inside the bedroom they shared on July 15 in Humboldt, Tennessee, the county prosecutor said.
The recording shows the older child using bedding to suffocate her cousin as the younger girl slept in the top bunk, Gibson District Attorney Frederick Agee’s statement said. After the child died, “the juvenile cleaned up the victim and repositioned her body,” Agee said.
A relative told WREG-TV in Memphis that the girls had been arguing over an iPhone after coming from out of town to stay with their grandmother.
The girl was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence after authorities obtained the video on Wednesday.
“I consider this to be one of the most disturbing violent acts committed by either an adult or juvenile that my office has prosecuted,” Agee wrote in the statement.
He said he would petition a judge to prosecute the girl, who turns 13 later this month, in adult court, which would allow for “a lengthier sentence, whether that will be through incarceration or supervision with court-ordered conditions.”
In a shocking and tragic incident, a 12-year-old girl has been accused of smothering her 8-year-old cousin in a dispute over an iPhone. The incident has left the family and community reeling, trying to make sense of how such a young child could commit such a heinous act.
The incident took place in a quiet suburban neighborhood, where the two cousins were playing together. According to reports, the 12-year-old girl became enraged when her younger cousin refused to give her the iPhone they were playing with. In a fit of anger, she allegedly held a pillow over the younger girl’s face until she stopped breathing.
The news of this horrific incident has shocked and saddened many, as it is difficult to comprehend how a child could resort to such extreme violence over a material possession. It raises questions about the impact of technology on children’s behavior and the need for proper supervision and guidance.
Child psychologists have emphasized the importance of teaching children healthy ways to manage their emotions and conflicts. They stress the need for parents and caregivers to monitor children’s interactions and intervene when necessary to prevent such tragic outcomes.
The 12-year-old girl has been charged with murder and is currently in custody awaiting trial. The family of the victim is devastated by the loss of their young daughter and struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of teaching children empathy, conflict resolution, and healthy coping mechanisms. It also highlights the need for parents and caregivers to be vigilant in monitoring children’s behavior and addressing any signs of aggression or violence.
As the community mourns the loss of the 8-year-old girl, there is a collective call for greater awareness and action to prevent such senseless tragedies from occurring in the future. It is a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the need for compassion and understanding in our interactions with others, especially among young children who are still learning how to navigate the complexities of human emotions.
