A 12-year-old girl is facing serious charges, including first-degree murder, after video showed her suffocating her 8-year-old cousin to death.
This sad event is said to have started because of an argument over an iPhone.
According to the county’s leading prosecutor, Frederick H. Agee, the incident unfolded in a bedroom shared by the cousins at a residence in Humboldt.
Agee, the District Attorney General for Tennessee's 28th Judicial District, which includes Haywood, Crockett, and Gibson counties, provided details about the case.
The Humboldt Police Department obtained video footage showing the young girl using bedding to suffocate her cousin, who was sleeping in the top bunk of their shared bunk beds.
After the suffocation, the 12-year-old is said to have cleaned up the crime scene and moved the victim’s body.
The victim, identified as 8-year-old Demeria Hollingsworth, was a student at a school in Nashville.
The prosecutor noted that the accused girl is about to turn 13 this week.
Prosecutor Agee described the crime as "one of the most disturbing violent acts" he has ever handled, whether committed by an adult or a juvenile.
In Tennessee, juvenile court cases are closed when a child turns 19, which means they can be released from detention then.
Because of this law, the prosecution wants to move the case to Circuit Court, where the juvenile would be tried as an adult.
This move could lead to a longer sentence, whether through imprisonment or supervised release.
The motive behind the killing has not been disclosed by the police.
Neither the victim's family nor the accused's family live in Humboldt; they were visiting relatives when the incident happened.
The victim’s school, Cockrill Elementary in Nashville, confirmed the tragic loss, describing Demeria as a hardworking, intelligent, and beloved student who will be deeply missed.
Principal Casey Campbell expressed the profound grief of the Cockrill community, highlighting Demeria's dedication and sweet nature.
Demeria’s mother, Rayana Smith, shared with WREG-TV that the altercation between her daughter and her cousin was over an iPhone.
Demeria's grandmother, Tamara Pullum, described her granddaughter as an energetic, smart, and academically successful young girl, lamenting the senseless tragedy.
The Humboldt Police Department continues to investigate the case.
The community is urged to keep the victim’s family and the police in their thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.
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