Two Cleveland children — a 9-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl — are facing a series of grave criminal charges after prosecutors say they were involved in a violent assault on a 5-year-old girl last month. The case, described by legal experts as “extraordinarily rare,” has stunned the community and raised difficult questions about juvenile justice and accountability.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed Wednesday that the two juveniles have been charged in juvenile court with one count of attempted murder, four counts of rape, two counts of felonious assault, one count of kidnapping, and one count of strangulation.
In a statement, the prosecutor’s office said it is “actively receiving information and evidence” but declined to provide further details, citing the “sensitive nature of this case.” The children are expected to appear in juvenile court at a later date.
The incident happened on September 13 in a field near East 148th Street and St. Clair Avenue. According to police, the 5-year-old girl was at a relative’s house when she walked away and was later reported missing.
A witness told police they saw three children, all under the age of 10, take the girl into a wooded area where the attack occurred. The victim was found lying in the fetal position in a nearby field, less than a quarter-mile from the home.
The child’s mother, Antavia Kennibrew, was horrified when she found her daughter.
“What I saw was unbelievable,” Kennibrew told local media. “My daughter was not my daughter. Her hair was scalped from her head. She had bruises and blood all over her body. Her eyes were filled with blood. Her lips and mouth were filled with blood.”
The little girl spent nearly a week in the hospital. Kennibrew said when her daughter regained consciousness, she screamed, “They killed me,” believing she had died.
Kennibrew said her daughter continues to suffer mentally and emotionally, often displaying aggression and suicidal thoughts since the attack.
The Cleveland Division of Police Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit is leading the investigation. Detectives recovered evidence from the scene, including the child’s clothing, and obtained surveillance and Ring camera footage from nearby homes.
While initial reports indicated that three juveniles were involved, charges have so far been filed against only two. Police confirmed they are investigating “a matter involving multiple children under the age of 10, both as victims and suspects.”
Cases like this — involving defendants as young as 9 and 10 — are almost unheard of in Ohio. The state has no minimum age for juvenile prosecution, but experts say such instances are sporadic.
Legal analyst Michael Benza said prosecutors face a significant challenge in pursuing the case.
“Trying to prove what a nine-year-old even understands about their conduct, let alone what they were thinking when they did it, makes it very difficult to prosecute people this young,” he said.
Because the suspects are under 14, the case cannot be transferred to adult court. It will remain in the juvenile system, which focuses more on rehabilitation than punishment. A key issue will be determining whether the children are mentally competent to stand trial — meaning they understand the court process and can help their lawyers.
The case has drawn widespread attention and sympathy. On October 9, dozens of residents gathered at the Zelma Watson George Recreation Center for a toy drive in support of the young victim, whom her family identified as A’Marie.
Kennibrew said the community support has given her strength.
“For people to show that just because this evil thing happened to her, we are not evil — we care — that means so much,” she said.
A GoFundMe campaign titled “Justice for A’Marie” has been launched to help the family with medical and counseling costs.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation remains active as new evidence continues to come in. Because of the ages of everyone involved, officials say they will not be releasing further details at this time.
