Police Charge 15 Year Old With Murder Of Cole County, MO Girl

Authorities have charged a 15-year-old with first-degree murder for the death of a 9-year-old girl in central Missouri.

[Annabelle]

It is so sad that this happens all the time.

[xyz]

Annabelle I agree. I don't know if this was an abduction or not. What I always wonder about all these cases is this: had the kids been watched for a while or are these situations of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I personally find it difficult to believe the latter but ufnortunately we never find out.

[a happy mom]

what is happing to this world we use to be able to go outside and play and not have to worry when it would get dark it was time to come in our parents knew where we went because nobody wanted anybody's kids they had there own to take care of if someone takes my girl they better pray the cops get them before I do

[kristin]

this is so sad what the hell is wrong with people and its bad enough ht e person who killed her is a kid so horrible

[concerned]

When, in this case, a child chooses to, sadly, act as an adult then their name should not be protected, nor should they receive punishment as a child would. It's called accountability! I know this varies with each individual person, but in some instances, such as this, there should not be such an effort to protect identity, or prosecute with minimal punishment.

Also, everyone always expects the offender to be male, but a recent violator from California was a mid 20's female Sunday school teacher. So to speculate about the sex of predators is becoming more and more uncertain.

[wondering]

Yes, the juvenile should be held accountable. I can't help but wonder, though if this teen has ever had to BE accountable in his or her live to date?? I as well as alot of parents probably do not stress the importance of respect, consequence and accountability to our kids as much as we should. Hindsight is indeed 20/20.

[monative]

I heard from a reliable source that the 15 year-old is a female.

[Unbelievable]

This is unbelievably sad.
What is this world coming to?
Poor Elizabeth..........and at the hands of someone she knew.
And that her killer is 15 years old..........this is just unreal.

I do think too, that a 15 year old should be held just as responsible as an adult. Killing is the ultimate crime. I can understand trying a 15 year old as a child in something like robbery, but when it comes to taking the life of an innocent child, actually killing someone........that is different.

[so sad De Soto Mo]

What horrible things could happen in 15 short years to turn a child into murderer? This generation of parents is failing miserably.

[Roxanne]

Right is right and wrong is wrong! You learn this at a very young age. This juvenile should have their name and face splattered all over television screens. She knew what she was doing when she decided to take the life of this little girl. She should be punished like an adult. Forgiveable? Absolutely not! I say throw her in jail and throw away the key! What about the pain and suffering that Elizabeth's family will have to bear for the rest of their lives? I heard it was also a female suspect and I hope she gets what's coming to her.

[dad]

Just think; the state of MO still does not require schools to provide bus transportaion for students that live within 1 mile of school. If this happened within a quarter mile, what could happen in a mile long walk to school?

[Tom]

I hope that this person who killed this little girl is tried as an adult and spends the rest of his or her life in prison with no parole, ever. Unfortunately, at 15, I don't think they can be executed. Maybe we need to change the laws regarding death penalty cases of someone this age. they were old enough to know right from wrong, IMHO.

[Chris]

Just so sad.

[hmmm]

You have to wonder what kind of parenting this 15 year old has. Are her parents involved in her life? I have heard as well from someone who I know who lives in Jeff. City that the 15 year old is a female and is one of those teens that live "goth" like. I just can not imagine the loss of your child, my heart and prayers goes out to the family. I think the 15 yr. old, if not tried as an adult then to be sent to some sort of boot camp!

[Heather]

This is so sad. I can't believe a 15 year old could do this. I mean was this thought out? Was it an abduction? Was it a horrible prank gone wrong? Could it have been satanic worship? Was the teenager high on drugs? What could lead a child to kill another child? I mean I am not the same person I was at 15, but I would have never killed someone. This is definitely a hard call for the courts to make. Charge the suspect as a child or adult? I would say it should be up to Elizabeth's parents, on what the sentence should be and whether parole should ever be granted. People do change, but murder is not the same as dabbling in drugs as a teenager.

[this stuff is crazy]

Wat

is wrong wit people these day

[Mr Bobbie L Carter]

I got to ask this teen something ? What the hell was he thinking when he bull sh*8% like that ? On the real side I was looking for someone older to do bull
sh** like that . Not a dam kid doing it ! Lord help us we need you now !

[unionwife]

My prayers go out for the family.

[Calles]

The whole situation is horrible. The loss of one life, and now that a 15 year old is responsible. It is just all bad. I would like to know what the motive was, why in the world would a 15 year old have that much anger to kill someone. It sure is a different world now.

[Nikki]

I feel so sad for both families. Sometimes you are not able to control a 15 year (this coming from a mother of a 15 year old). I do not ALWAYS know what my child is doing. I CANNOT control everything he does or doesn't do. I DO NOT have a say in everything he does.
No one knows this 15 year old or their family. Quit passing judegement on the 15 year old or the family of the 15 year old. It is sad for BOTH of the families.
My heart goes out to the little girl that was killed and her family. As well as the family of the 15 year old.
May she rest in peace.