Adams High School student accused of stabbing, robbery appears in court
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. --- The 15-year-old John Adams High School student accused of robbing and stabbing another student appeared in juvenile court Monday morning for an initial hearing.
The teen is facing a delinquency petition for multiple charges that would all be felonies if committed by an adult.
Family members of the defendant and the victim showed Monday and emotions ran high on both sides of the courtroom as they discussed the incident just weeks ago that sent Adams High School into a lockdown.
According to court documents on January 11 the 15-year-old defendant allegedly robbed another 16-year-old student for their cash and THC vape cartridge and stabbed the student in the ribs.
The prosecution did not seek to move the case to adult court, but the 15-year-old is now facing a delinquency petition for multiple charges including armed robbery and battery resulting in bodily injury, all of which would be felonies if tried in adult court.
On Monday defendant’s attorney Michael Wandling sought to have the teen removed from the Juvenile Detention Center and instead placed under house arrest, with 24/7 adult supervision, GPS monitoring along with home schooling and therapy sessions.
The defendant’s mother got emotional as she spoke up for her son in court, which we paraphrased. She said in part -
My son is a genuine kid. I’m willing to do anything to help my son. My family can help too.
But state prosecutor Elizabeth McGrath and the victim’s uncle argued the defendant could be a threat to the public if released on home detention.
His uncle told ABC57 the victim is still dealing with the emotions left behind by the attack and said in part -
I tried not to leave his bedside that week when he was recovering in the hospital. He still has panic attacks about it. He is afraid of the world and is scared to go back to school. I know they are all kids, but the other kid should be held responsible. My nephew deserves justice.
The judge said he needed more time to advise whether or not the defendant should remain in the juvenile detention center until trial or be placed under house arrest.
The next status hearing has been set for February 7 followed by a trial on February 24.