5-year-old California boy stabs his TWIN with kitchen knife during play fight – cops say child won’t face charges in ‘horrible’ accident
- An unidentified young boy stabbed and killed his brother with a kitchen knife after a fight
- Pursuant to California law, the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office is not filing any charges against the boy
- The district attorney’s office began investigating whether the children were properly supervised and whether they were in inherent danger in their family.
A five-year-old California boy who stabbed his twin brother with a small kitchen knife during a play fighting game will not face charges.
Emergency services arrived at the boys’ Scotts Valley family home in Santa Cruz around 4 p.m. on November 15 to find the child suffering from a knife wound.
The five-year-old was taken to hospital, but he did not survive his injuries.
Following an investigation, the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office determined that there was no indication of neglect or criminal activity and that the child was unaware of the illegality of his actions.
Children under 14 are “incapable” of committing a crime unless they “knew at the time of committing the alleged act that it was unlawful,” he says. Penal Code 26.
California Juvenile court also states that it only considers cases involving crimes involving children aged 12 to 17.
The Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office said there was no indication of neglect or criminal activity and the child was unaware of the illegality of his actions
Emergency services arrived at the boys’ Scotts Valley family home in Santa Cruz around 4 p.m. on November 15 to find the child suffering from a knife wound.
Former prosecutor Steven Clark said the district attorney’s office launched an investigation to determine whether the children were properly supervised and whether they were in inherent danger.
“The fact that the sheriff’s office responded so quickly and determined that this was not the result of negligence suggests that the family acted appropriately and that this was just a one-time, terrible and tragic event,” Clark told the station.
In a statement on Facebook, the office wrote: “Just before 4 p.m., November 15, 2023, deputies were dispatched to the 200 Block of Tucker Road in unincorporated Scotts Valley in reference to a five-year-old stabbing victim.
“When officers arrived at the scene, they learned that two five-year-old twins were arguing, as siblings sometimes do.
“Tragically, during the incident, one of the 5-year-olds grabbed a small kitchen knife and stabbed his twin brother.”
In a statement on Facebook, the office wrote: “Just before 4 p.m. on November 15, 2023, deputies were dispatched to the 200 Block of Tucker Road in unincorporated Scotts Valley in reference to a five-year-old stabbing victim.”
Scott’s Valley Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Ashley Keehn (pictured) said the incident was simply a tragic situation
Although significant attempts were made to save the boy’s life, he failed.
“Despite the life-saving efforts of our deputies, EMS personnel and hospital staff, the 5-year-old died at the hospital.
“We are heartbroken for the family of these two young children and share their grief.”
Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Ashley Keehn said the incident was simply a tragic situation and there was no negligence.
“Thanks to the investigation and interviews with witnesses, no negligence was found. It just ended up being a very tragic, horrific situation,” Keehn said ABC7.
The distraught parents ask for privacy and do not provide any information about the family.
