Boy, 8, charged with manslaughter in US


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An eight-year-old US boy has been charged with aggravated manslaughter for kicking and punching his infant half sister and then hitting her in the face with a two-by-four timber, killing her.

If convicted, he could be held in a Florida juvenile facility until his 21st birthday.

"We thought that the juvenile system was the place for him, where he can get the help he needs," state attorney spokeswoman Pam Bondi said, announcing that prosecutors had decided to file the criminal charge.

It was not an easy decision.

Jayza Laney Simms was seven months old when she was killed in the May 22 attack. The boy, who has not been identified because of his age, was visiting his father, his father's girlfriend and their two daughters - Jayza and a toddler - at their home in east Tampa, Florida.

The adults were outside talking with friends after putting the children to bed when the boy came out and said the baby was bleeding, authorities said.

By the time the parents could get her to an emergency room, Jayza was dead.

The boy initially denied beating the baby. But he confessed later, after investigators reviewed autopsy results and confronted him again, authorities said. They said he was jealous of the attention showered on the baby and angry that night because she wouldn't stop crying.

Investigators had never seen a crime in which a young child had displayed "so much violence and so little remorse," police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

"We never thought we'd have to be researching how to charge an eight-year-old accused of such a terrible crime," Bondi said.

English common law dating back centuries says children under eight can't be held accountable for their actions, and children are presumed to be unable to form criminal intent before about age 15.

Experts say there are fewer than a half-dozen cases of children eight or younger who commit murder each year. In 2002, the most recent year for which statistics were available, there were just three in the US, according to the FBI.

Jayza's brother will be tried in juvenile court for aggravated manslaughter if a plea deal isn't reached first.

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I doubt that kid would have any idea of whast going on. Kinda feel for him...But if u do the crime u do the time.

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I doubt that kid would have any idea of whast going on. Kinda feel for him...But if u do the crime u do the time.

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I have to say I disagree. I have a sister myself near that age and she and her friends completely understand what's right and what's wrong.

My condolences to the family.

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I have to say I disagree. I have a sister myself near that age and she and her friends completely understand what's right and what's wrong.

I didnt mean it like that. IM not on his side or anything. But when i was eight, i would have gone mad knowing i was going to be locked up for that long. And its during probably the best years of your life aswell.

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I feel sorry for both the 8 year old and the infant.

The mind of an 8 year old is an unstable thing, and can be unpredictable under some circumstances.

Nonetheless, he deserves juvie, but it's truly sad that he does.

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When are parents going to start beating their kids again? I swear, when I was growing up my mom would lay into me any time I did something I wasn't supposed to. Parents these days need to stop being pussies with their kids. It's not about being "cool", it's about raising a kid that knows right from wrong. When I was eight years old, I knew full well not to even act like I was going to hit my little sister. And if I did, there was going to be hell to pay.

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wow... hes only 8, and what is really weird, these stories are more and more common each day.

so sad, hes only 8 and could be in jail until hes 21... that really really sucks :no:

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wow... hes only 8, and what is really weird, these stories are more and more common each day.

so sad, hes only 8 and could be in jail until hes 21... that really really sucks :no:

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exactly, and what's sad is, to put him in jail at such a young age likely puts his behavioral maturity at age 21 a lot lower than what is considered normal. If I were 8 years old, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't even understand the severity of a sentence of 21 years in prison, and when I got out at age 29, I probably would have the behavioral maturity of a 13-year-old and probably inflict more damage to society as a result.

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ya, tragic event, but i think the parents are to blame in this one too. people have to give their kids morales and values. i see to many spoiled kids now adays that seem to try and steal and do whatever, and the parents dont do anything about it.

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When are parents going to start beating their kids again? I swear, when I was growing up my mom would lay into me any time I did something I wasn't supposed to. Parents these days need to stop being pussies with their kids. It's not about being "cool", it's about raising a kid that knows right from wrong. When I was eight years old, I knew full well not to even act like I was going to hit my little sister. And if I did, there was going to be hell to pay.

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I totally agree

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If I read that 5 year old has done a crime of the likes, next parent I see i'm gonna yell at them a little louder make sure they understand their actions.

I was raised with a swift kick up the ass or a smack behind the fore head. Where have those days gone cuz it seems this generation of parenting is ****en horable.

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2x4, A phycho's best friend :)

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Is that some sort of joke? There's really nothing humorous about a deeply tragic event like this. FFS, what the hell happened to members around here. It's as if everyone has lost all tactfulness/respect/common sense.

Such a horrible and tragic loss... :cry:

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When are parents going to start beating their kids again? I swear, when I was growing up my mom would lay into me any time I did something I wasn't supposed to. Parents these days need to stop being pussies with their kids. It's not about being "cool", it's about raising a kid that knows right from wrong. When I was eight years old, I knew full well not to even act like I was going to hit my little sister. And if I did, there was going to be hell to pay.

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:yes:

I second that, kids these days are out of control.

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