A 14-year-old boy is accused of killing Iliana ‘Lily’ Peters, 10, and leaving the house where they were together in order to rape and kill her, Wisconsin prosecutors say.
The state of Wisconsin has demanded $ 1 million bail for the teenage suspect, who was arrested and charged with murder and sexual assault in Chippewa County after appearing in court on Wednesday.
The suspect, identified only by the initials C PB, appeared in court via video, where he was charged with three counts, including first-degree murder.
County Attorney Wade Newell cited the suspect’s confession, saying the boy had been planning to “rape and kill the victim from the first moment he left the house with the victim going down.”
Officials say Lily and the suspect knew each other, but have not shared how (Image: Facebook)
Newell said the 14-year-old “punched the victim in the stomach, hit her on the ground, effectively strangled her, hit her with a stick before strangling her to death, before then sexually assaulting her.”
Prosecutors have demanded $ 1 million in cash for the teen suspect, provided he has no contact with minors and does not possess dangerous weapons. Due to the seriousness of the crime, the judge accepted the request.
Also, the suspect is no longer allowed to be alone with his siblings if visits are requested. Officials said the boy left the same house as Lily, but did not confirm how they knew each other.
Lily’s body was found around 9 a.m. Monday, a few blocks from her aunt’s house, near a footpath and a brewery parking lot.
The Chippewa County Sheriff set up a mobile command center in the parking lot of the Leinenkugel Brewery as they processed the scene where Lily was found (Image: AP) (Image: AP)
The night before, her father had reported her missing when she did not return home from a visit with her family.
Authorities who searched her found what appeared to be her bicycle abandoned along the wooden path and soon discovered that Chippewa County Medical Examiner had confirmed that it was her remains.
Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm told a news conference Tuesday night after the suspect was arrested that there was no danger to the community.
“While nothing will bring Lily Peters back or change what happened, we are very grateful to be able to spread the word about the family and the community,” Kelm said.
Police began searching for Lily around 9pm on Sunday night when her father reported her disappearance after she did not return home from her aunt’s house (Image: Chippewa Falls Police Department)
Lily was a fourth grader at Parkview Elementary School. She is believed to have been last seen by members of her family before her disappearance and eventual death.
While the criminal charge remains sealed, Newell outlined the three charges against the 14-year-old suspect. These categories include first-degree intent homicide, first-degree sexual assault, and first-degree sexual assault on a child under the age of 13 resulting in major bodily harm.
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