Brevard teen accused of killing baby sister will be tried as adult

Investigators have described Noah Wells as ‘remorseful'

VIERA, Fla. – A judge ruled on Friday that a 15-year-old Brevard teen accused of killing his 21-month-old sister will be charged as an adult.

At a hearing at the Brevard County Courthouse in Viera, Judge Nancy Maloney said that Noah Walls, charged with second-degree murder, will be transferred to the Brevard County Jail in Sharpes, where he will be held without bond, News 6 partner Florida Today reported.

Walls did not appear at the hearing.

In a news release, State Attorney Phil Archer said the seriousness of the charges was what warranted charging Walls as an adult

He also said the case showed that new legislation was needed, referencing a bill that Archer says would allow for "blended" sentencing that would allow for those convicted to be put in juvenile detention followed by periods of adult probation where they would be monitored to see if they pose any risk to the community.

“This is a tragic case of a juvenile caught up in a terrible, horrible act. Investigators have informed us of his deep remorse," Archer said in the release. "But in many ways, our hands are tied. If we prosecute him as a juvenile, the state would only have control for about three more years of his life. By going forward with him as an adult, we can push for a sentence that allows us greater latitude in protecting our community."

ORIGINAL STORY:

A 15-year-old suspected of beating his 21-month-old sister to death after she was left in his care, could learn Friday whether the state will pursue adult charges in his case.

News 6 partner Florida Today said the homicide case has also left the Department of Children and Families attempting to sort out the legal definition of the term "caregiver" and whether the child died as the result of "abuse and neglect" as it determines whether to make public records of its contact with the toddler’s family over the years. State law permits the release of such records when such findings of abuse, neglect or abandonment are made, although the agency questions whether the teen was legally a "caregiver." The case has the attention of DCF Secretary Mike Carroll.

“The horrific nature in which this young girl’s life was taken and the loss this family suffered is absolutely devastating,” Carroll said in response to inquiries about the case from Florida Today. “I have directed a team to immediately begin looking at all interactions the department and community partners had with these children and their families,” he said.

Already, Brevard County sheriff’s investigators have charged Noah Walls, whose address is in Port St. John, with second-degree murder in connection with the Jan. 10 death of Riley Martin.

The teen, remanded into custody at the Juvenile Detention Center in Sharpes, told investigators that he had been "frustrated" after being given the ongoing responsibility to care for Riley and another young sibling.

Investigators have described the teen as "remorseful" about Riley's death.

The case unfolded after deputies responded to a home where Riley, who shares the same father with Noah,  was found unresponsive. Paramedics then rushed the toddler to Wuesthoff Hospital with signs of blunt force trauma to her tiny body. Doctors pronounced Riley dead and called deputies, who then initiated a short investigation.

The medical examiner’s office later determined that the death was the result of a homicide also.

Michelle Glady, the state spokeswoman for DCF, said the child welfare agency was aware of the criminal investigative findings in the case but was conducting its own inquiry. Records could show whether a case agent knew of Noah's contacts with his sister, along with other concerns. “(Noah) legally wasn’t the caregiver over his sister,” adding that the agency’s lawyers were reviewing whether records kept by the agency involving Riley were releasable.

“The department did have prior involvement with that family. Right now, our investigators are trying to determine if abuse or neglect occurred,” adding that a child is typically in the custody of parents or guardians.

The teen, along with prosecutors, will gather 8:30 a.m. in juvenile court at the Moore Justice Center for a hearing that could determine whether the state seeks to formally charge him as an adult. If convicted, the teen could face a sentence of up to 30 years in state custody, including prison.


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