SOUTH BEND â Court proceedings for a 14-year-old boy accused of molesting and killing a 6-year-old girl in New Carlisle will remain open to the public, a St. Joseph County Probate Court judge ruled Wednesday.
Magistrate Graham Polandoâs ruling comes after attorneys for the teen filed a motion to close public access, arguing the high-profile nature of the case could introduce âprejudiceâ into the case.
In his ruling, Polando wrote that Indiana law is clear that juvenile court proceedings are public if the alleged offense would be murder or a felony if committed by an adult.
âThe respondent cited no authority, and the courtâs own research has likewise found none, indicating that the court may disregard that statute,â the ruling said.
A 14-year-old suspect remains in custody after missing 6-year-old found dead from asphyxiation
A 14-year-old suspect who was arrested in connection with the death of a 6-year-old girl in Indiana had a hearing Monday in juvenile court and was ordered detained, officials said.
The preliminary results of an autopsy said the girl died from homicide by asphyxiation. More tests are being done, according to a release from the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office.
Jessica McBrier, director of media relations for the prosecutors office, said the teen is being held at a juvenile detention facility.
The victim has been identified as Grace Ross, of New Carlisle, according to a release from the prosecutor’s office.
A 14-year-old boy from Indiana was arrested over the weekend in connection to the death of a 6-year-old girl whose body was found in a wooded area less than two hours after her family first reported her missing.