CRIME
Aniyah Batchelor murder: 13-year-old suspect to go to therapeutic foster care
The 13-year-old boy accused in the beating death of a 2-year-old foster child living with his family will not go to a detention center. Instead, he will be sent to therapeutic foster care.
Prosecutors say the boy entered an Alford Plea to involuntary manslaughter in the July death in Fort Washington. An Alford plea means the suspect doesn't admit wrongdoing but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict.
The boy was charged as a juvenile and his name has not been released. Police said the boy's father called 911 to report the 2-year-old was unresponsive.
The man performed CPR on the child, but she was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Aniyah grandfather said in court there are only losers no winners in the case. After the judge pronounced her sentence for the little boy, Aniyah's grandmothers were angry.
“Justice was not served for Aniyah or my family,” says Pamela Knight.
“It’s like they killed her again they didn't give her family anything they gave his family everything,” says Rosalyn McClain. “Therapeutic foster care! What is that??
The 2-year-old girl died July 3 in the Fort Washington foster home where she'd lived for nine months. The boy admitted he hit her six times. An autopsy revealed more than 50 injuries external and internal. Prosecutors claimed he was jealous of the child's presence in his home.
On Tuesday, the judge declared she believes the now 13-year-old boy still doesn't fully grasp what he did and that what he needs is therapy in a setting away from more hardened juvenile offenders.
He'll be going to a place away from his family where he'll continue school and get psychiatric treatment.
State's attorney Angela Alsobrooks says she hopes that protects the community and helps the boy be saved.
But Aniyah’s grandmother disagrees.
“It should have been a little more stricter,” says Knight.
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