Source:
Shutterstock
Note: The photo used in this post is a stock image and not a photo of the child in question with this news story.
I’m not really sure where to even start with this heartbreaking story.
A 10-year-old Houston, Texas girl was arrested and charged with raping a 4-year-old boy, KHOU 11 reports. While the details surrounding the incident are scarce, what we do know is that the alleged incident is said to have occurred in the courtyard of the girl’s apartment complex.
“She was just being a child, having fun and playing. She didn’t know she was doing any wrong,” the girl’s mother told KHOU.
The incident was first reported back in April, which is when a sex crimes investigator was assigned to the case. The child was arrested last week and taken to a juvenile detention center, where she was held for four days.
“Me and my mom was crying and then she took me to the police car. I didn’t want to get in,” the girl told reporters.
“Just to look and see her through those windows and bars, screaming and stuff, screaming for me to get her out… it was a nightmare,” the child’s mother added.
One can only imagine how frightening it was for the preteen to be fingerprinted, issued a prison jumpsuit and placed in cell.
“It was my first time being there and I was scared. I thought something was going to happen to me,” she said the experience.
Although she didn’t have an attorney, local community activist, Qunaell X, stepped in to defend her.
“This was nothing more than horseplay. That’s what this was. It has gone a little bit too far… criminalizing a 10-year-old child,” Quanell said.
The child’s mother won’t specify whether or not she believes her child did anything wrong, but she argues that investigators should consider the fact that they’re dealing with a child.
“I’m not saying she didn’t [do something wrong], I’m not saying that she did. I’m saying she’s still a child.”
If convicted, the girl may have to register as a sex offender.
Turn the page to watch news coverage on the case.
