Judge Postpones Hearing for Children Charged in Assault on 5-Year-Old
A Cuyahoga County judge has postponed the first court appearance for a 10-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy accused of torturing and raping a 5-year-old autistic girl last month.
The hearing has been rescheduled for November 3 amid arguments over whether it should be open to the public.
Defense attorneys say media access could harm the children, while prosecutors and local news outlets argue that public transparency is in the public interest.
The case has drawn attention to whether the juvenile justice system can properly handle such young defendants.
Public defenders have requested a competency evaluation for the 10-year-old, saying she may not understand the charges. Both children remain out of detention as the court determines their mental fitness to stand trial.
Even in serious cases, children in conflict with the law have the right to privacy, dignity, legal protection, and a fair process, with justice focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment, as guaranteed under the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.
