A 13-year-old girl was charged with the murder of her 7-year-old sister in Taylor, Michigan, on Saturday, September 28.
The Taylor Police Department responded to reports of a stabbing in the afternoon at approximately 1 p.m. local time. The incident occurred in a quiet neighbourhood near Telegraph and Chestnut.
By the time officers arrived on the scene, the 7-year-old victim had already sustained life-threatening injuries. She was immediately transported to a local hospital, but despite the efforts of medical staff, she succumbed to her injuries.
The Incident
Authorities have confirmed that the 7-year-old girl was allegedly stabbed by her 13-year-old sister, who had been left in charge of babysitting her that day.
Initial reports indicate that the parents of the two girls had left their home at around 11:15 a.m., leaving the older sibling to care for her younger sister. However, what seemed like a normal family situation turned tragic when a fight between the sisters led to deadly violence.
Detective Zachary DiGiacomo, who is leading the investigation, revealed that the dispute between the two sisters arose from a seemingly minor issue.
The argument reportedly centred around a note left in the bathroom, which instructed the girls to flush the toilet.
What began as a petty disagreement quickly spiralled out of control. The older sister allegedly used a butcher’s knife and a hunting knife to stab the victim multiple times.
According to police reports, the 7-year-old suffered more than ten stab wounds, with injuries ranging from her abdomen to her head and neck.
In interviews with the media, DiGiacomo expressed his dismay at the senseless violence, stating, “It’s shocking, and it’s very tragic.”
He also noted that the 13-year-old appeared disturbingly calm and devoid of emotion when officers arrived at the scene. “She was very calm and just showed no emotion,” DiGiacomo remarked.
After the incident, the area residents expressed their sorrow and disbelief. Julie Pagoto, a neighbour who knew the victim, described the 7-year-old as “the sweetest little girl.”
Pagoto and other residents recalled seeing the child riding her bike and chatting with neighbours, making the loss even more profound for those who knew her. “It was just a very tragic day for us,” Pagoto said.
Given the severity of the crime, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office swiftly moved to charge the teenager with first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, and first-degree child abuse. However, in a difficult decision, Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that the 13-year-old would not be tried as an adult due to her age.
Worthy acknowledged the case’s complexity, describing the facts as “horrific” and “beyond disturbing.” Nonetheless, the prosecutor explained the rationale behind her office’s decision to keep the defendant within the juvenile system. “There is absolutely no doubt that the facts in this case are horrific,” Worthy said. “It is beyond disturbing that the alleged person responsible for the stabbing death of her seven-year-old sister is thirteen years old.”
She elaborated that, due to the girl’s age, the State would have seven years to work towards rehabilitating her before her mandatory release at 21. “Hopefully, then, she would not be a danger to others. While this is a difficult decision, given these facts, it is the right thing to do in this case,” Worthy added.
Unlike adult sentencing, the juvenile system prioritizes diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation to reintegrate young individuals into society. In this case, it means that the 13-year-old will not face the possibility of life imprisonment without parole, a fate reserved for adult offenders in cases of first-degree murder.
Superintendent Michael B. Wegher of the local school district acknowledged the widespread impact of the event, urging those affected to seek support. “We know that this will affect others throughout our district and our community beyond the buildings that were immediately affected,” Wegher said in a public statement. He encouraged students, staff, and families to use mental health services available through the district, including the Care Solace program.
The incident has also raised questions about what could have led to such extreme violence in a household where, according to Detective DiGiacomo, there had been no prior signs of severe conflict.
The parents of the two girls reportedly told authorities that the siblings had only engaged in “normal sibling arguments” before the stabbing. “Growing up as kids, you argue with your siblings all the time, but it doesn’t lead to this,” DiGiacomo recalled.
Probably because of parentification. It’s not fair to make your older siblings raise their younger siblings, and if you think it’s normal you need therapy yourself.
What do you mean? It’s completely normal for a sibling to care for a younger one once in a while.
She should be in jail for life regardless of her age.