A 14-YEAR-OLD suspect allegedly told cops that he intended to rape and kill a 10-year-old.
Lily Peters’ body was discovered a few blocks north of her home in a wooded area near the Duncan Creek Trail in Wisconsin at about 9.15am on Monday.
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Now, a 14-year-old boy has been arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted and strangled Lily to death.
District Attorney Wade Newell said in court on Wednesday: “His intention was to rape and kill the victim from the get-go when he left the house with the victim going down the trail.”
Newell alleged that the 14-year-old, who is an eighth-grader, punched and knocked Lily to the ground before hitting her with a stick. He then allegedly strangled her to death and sexually assaulted her.
The teen is charged with 1st-degree intentional homicide, 1st-degree sexual assault, and 1st-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 resulting in great bodily harm.
Judge Ben Lane was quoted as saying: “This was a serious threat to the community, so the court is concerned this could be a further threat if released.”
A $1million cash bond was ordered, along with conditions of no contact with juveniles or possession of dangerous weapons.
Another hearing being was scheduled for 3.30pm on Thursday May 5.
ARREST ANNOUNCED
Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matt Kelm revealed that they had a juvenile suspect in custody on Tuesday, a day after Lily’s body was discovered a few blocks north of her home.
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Kelm said that the suspect was arrested earlier in the evening but declined to provide more information during a press conference.
But the police chief did acknowledge that the suspect “wasn’t a stranger” to Lily.
He told reporters that the Peters family was aware of the bombshell arrest, which came after police combed the little girl’s Wisconsin home and the area around her school for answers.
He said that police do not believe there is any danger to the community after the death sparked widespread fears of a predator on the loose.
“While nothing will bring Lily Peters back, or change what happened, we are very grateful to be able to deliver this news for the family and for the community,” Kelm told reporters.
He pointed out purple ribbons placed all throughout Chippewa Falls in honor of Lily, whose remains were discovered on Monday not far from her bike outside the Lienenkugel Brewery.
“And, honestly, I would expect nothing less from the Chippewa Falls community,” Kelm added of the tribute to the fourth-grader.
It came after local police came under fire for not immediately issuing an AMBER Alert after Lily’s disappearance.
More than 200 tips were received by the police department, according to Kelm, which he said were “critical” in solving the case.
The crime scene is still being held by the security team and people were asked to continue to avoid the area.
An autopsy on Lily’s body was being conducted, Kelm said.
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