Space Coast teen charged as adult in sister’s death

Published:
MGN Online

VIERA, Fla. (AP) – A State Attorney along Florida’s Space Coast is charging a teenager as an adult for the death of his 21-month-old sister but the prosecutor says the decision underlines the need for more latitude when dealing with juveniles.

State Attorney Phil Archer’s office on Friday filed an adult second-degree murder charge against 15-year-old Noah Walls.

Walls was arrested last month and charged with the death of his sister, Riley Mullins.

An autopsy determined the toddler died from blunt force trauma.

Archer says the suspect has expressed remorse but he says his office’s hands are tied.

Archer says the case shows the need for “blended” sentencing which would allow juveniles to be placed in juvenile detention facilities, rather than adult prisons, followed by adult probation periods.

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