A man who broke into a home in Michigan during a sleepover and stabbed an 11-year-old girl multiple times has received his sentence.
According to the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office, 25-year-old Ricardo Perez Castillo will serve 18.75 to 40 years in prison after pleadin6g no contest in October 2025 to assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, and assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct.
The stabbing happened in the early hours of June 15, 2024, when Castillo entered a home on Ella Terrace Court just before 3 a.m, covered in blood.
He then removed his shoes, socks, and pants, grabbed a kitchen knife from a drawer and then went upstairs.
According to Law&Crime, he entered the master bedroom where the homeowners were asleep, but he left the adults alone because he said he was “looking for an easier target.”
He then moved to the homeowner’s daughter’s bedroom, where he found her and the victim asleep during the sleepover.
Police say he stabbed the visiting 11-year-old several times in the arm and shoulder. Her screams woke the homeowner, who rushed to the room and held Castillo at gunpoint until deputies arrived.
“The victim was stabbed multiple times, but the homeowner’s quick action likely saved her life.” said Kent County Undersheriff Bryan Muir to WXM
After he was arrested, law enforcement said they found no connection between Castillo and the family.
“We believe this is a completely random act… there’s nothing to connect the suspect to the residence or the people inside,” said Undersheriff Muir told WOOD.
Authorities say Castillo later admitted he planned to kill everyone in the home, and he also intended to kill the 11-year-old victim and have sex with her body.
During the sentencing in the 17th Circuit Court, Judge Christina Mims condemned Castillo's actions saying: “This case is disturbing on so many levels,” the judge said. “You almost killed a child who was only trying to sleep over with her friend.”
Prosecutor Elizabeth Bartlett told the court the defendant showed no remorse after the attack. She also read the victim’s impact statement, and described the fear she felt during the attack saying, “I remember seeing all my blood everywhere. I remember being very scared and not understanding why this happened to me.”
The homeowner even told the court the family had to move after the attack.
Castillo knelt on the courtroom floor as he made his apology. “I ask for forgiveness. I know I don’t deserve it,” he said. “I was a lost person… I ask for forgiveness for both families and the whole community.”
Despite his plea, the judge imposed the maximum sentence. For updates on this case and other high-profile true crime stories sign up for our free newsletter here.
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