Girl, 10, Charged as Adult in Death of 6-Month-Old Baby at Wisconsin Day Care

This post was based on this story, posted by Inside Edition.

The following is a video transcript and article about a news story. Write a comment on the possible reasons that the little girl acted like this, and reasons why she should be blamed, or should not be blamed, for her action, considering her age and circumstances.

Title: Girl, 10, Charged as Adult in Death of 6-Month-Old Baby at Wisconsin Day Care

Video transcript:

[Announcer] A little girl, just 10-years old, sobs as she's brought into court, charged with first-degree murder. She's comforted by her mom, as the judge orders her held on $50,000 bail. And look, as she leans close to her dad, you can see there are handcuffs on her tiny wrists. The charge is shocking. The murder of a baby boy at a day care center outside Eau Claire, Wisconsin. - [Dispatcher] City EMS first responders for a male child. Caller states he was napping and he's having a hard time breathing and his head is swelling. - [Announcer] County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk said the baby died two days later. - Injuries sustained by the six-month boy was not an accident. - The little girl was living with foster parents who run a day care center. She told police she was holding the baby when the baby accidentally fell out of her arms and hit his head on a footstool. She says she panicked, and began stomping on the baby's head to stop him from crying. An imprint of the 10-year old girl's shoe was found on the baby's head. - The disconnect is just mind-boggling. A crime could not be more horrific, and yet, the culprit, allegedly, a 10-year old girl? It's so hard for the system to sort that out. - [Girl] Will you go up with me, please? - [Announcer] The girl's parents say she has a history of severe emotional problems. They have tried repeatedly to get her help, but have been told she's too young to be admitted to a mental health facility. Now the disturbing sight of a frightened 10-year old charged with the ultimate crime. ("Inside Edition Theme")

Article:

A 10-year-old girl has been charged as an adult in the death of a 6-month-old baby she allegedly killed at a Wisconsin home day care run by her foster parents.
The unnamed girl was at her foster parents’ home in Tilden when she allegedly dropped the baby boy on Oct. 30, Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell said in court Monday.
The child hit his head and began crying, at which point the girl started panicking, Newell said.

“She panicked, didn’t know what to do and didn’t want to get into trouble,” Newell said at the girl’s bond hearing, KSTP-TV reported. It was then that prosecutors said the girl caused intentional fatal head trauma to the baby.
“The child hit its head on the footstool and then the child started crying and she panicked and didn’t know what to do and didn’t want to get into trouble and then she proceeded to stomp on the 6-month-old’s head,” Newell said, according to WEAU-TV.
The boy was rushed to a hospital, but was unable to be saved. After two days in the hospital, he was pronounced dead on Nov. 1.

The little girl allegedly confessed to hurting the boy and her shoes, as well as the footstool the boy hit his head on, were taken into evidence, officials said. She was charged as an adult with first-degree homicide with intent, a felony. Wisconsin state law dictates anyone 10 years old or older accused of felony first-degree homicide must see their case first brought in adult court.
“By statute, a 10-year-old or older is required to at least start out the process in adult court, and that’s why we’re here today,” the judge said to the court.
The little girl reportedly sobbed in her biological mother’s arms as the case was described. She had been removed from the custody of her biological parents in September, according to reports. It is likely that the case will be referred to juvenile court.

The case of the 10-year-old girl charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 6-month-old baby is a complex and emotionally charged one. It is important to consider various factors when trying to understand the reasons behind her actions and whether she should be held accountable for them.

Possible reasons for her actions:

1. Emotional problems: The girl's parents have mentioned that she has a history of severe emotional problems. It is possible that these emotional issues contributed to her inability to control her actions and react appropriately in a stressful situation.
2. Lack of proper guidance: Being in foster care and away from her biological parents may have led to a lack of proper guidance or support, which could have exacerbated her emotional issues.
3. Panic: According to the prosecutor, the girl panicked after the baby accidentally fell out of her arms and hit his head. This panic might have led her to act irrationally and cause further harm to the baby.
4. Inexperience: At 10 years old, the girl may not have had enough experience or knowledge to properly handle a delicate situation involving a baby, which could have contributed to her poor decision-making in the moment.

Reasons she should not be blamed:

1. Age: The girl is only 10 years old, which means her cognitive and emotional development is still ongoing. Her ability to understand the consequences of her actions and to make rational decisions may not yet be fully developed.
2. Emotional problems: As mentioned, the girl has a history of emotional problems, which might have impaired her judgment and ability to act appropriately in a stressful situation.
3. Lack of proper mental health care: The girl's parents have reportedly tried to get her help for her emotional problems, but she was deemed too young for mental health facilities. This lack of proper care could have contributed to her inability to cope with her emotions and react appropriately.

Reasons she should be blamed:

1. Intent: The prosecutor alleges that the girl intentionally caused fatal head trauma to the baby, which suggests a level of awareness and intentionality in her actions.
2. Wisconsin state law: The law dictates that anyone 10 years old or older accused of felony first-degree homicide must have their case first brought in adult court, which implies a certain level of responsibility expected from individuals of this age.

Ultimately, this tragic case highlights the complexity of determining responsibility and accountability for actions in individuals of such a young age, particularly when emotional problems and lack of proper care are involved. It is crucial to consider these factors when discussing the girl's actions and the degree to which she should be held accountable.