- The murder of the 8-year-old cousin by the 12-year-old girl was captured on a security camera
- The tragic incident occurred during a visit to their grandmother's house
- The 12-year-old girl was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence
A 12-year-old girl from Tennessee is facing charges of murder after allegedly suffocating her 8-year-old cousin while she slept, reportedly following an argument over an iPhone.
According to Gibson District Attorney Frederick Agee, the incident, captured on a security camera inside their shared bedroom in Humboldt on July 15, shows the older girl using bedding to smother her cousin in the top bunk. Agee stated that after the tragic act, the girl cleaned up the scene and repositioned the victim’s body.
Local reports, including from WREG-TV in Memphis, indicate that the girls had been visiting their grandmother from out of town when the dispute over the iPhone escalated.
Following the discovery of the video evidence on Wednesday, the 12-year-old was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Agee described the incident as one of the most disturbing acts of violence prosecuted by his office, noting plans to petition for the girl, who turns 13 later this month, to be tried in adult court.
This move would potentially result in a more severe sentence, whether through incarceration or court-ordered supervision with conditions.
