GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- As a teenage girl remains hospitalized, her big brother made his first court appearance for allegedly stabbing her.
On Monday, a detention hearing was held for the 15-year-old boy. He's accused of stabbing his 13-year-old sister repeatedly inside their home in the 8000 block of Grainery Road in Caledonia.
Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Laura Clifton said she wants to charge the boy with assault with intent to commit murder.
"There were multiple injuries, multiple stab wounds on her body," Clifton said. "She probably survived for the grace of God. It wasn’t for the lack of him trying, that's for sure."
Clifton asked the judge for a five-day detention stay as she investigates the case, sorts through the evidence, and tries to determine whether to try the boy as an adult.
It's not clear if his parents were inside the home during the stabbing, but they were with him at the juvenile detention center as he appeared in court via video.
Clifton said she's going to get family statements over the next few days to determine whether there was a history of violence or threats made by the 15-year-old.
FOX 17 checked with the courts and learned he doesn't have any criminal history, although neighbors said they have heard him make threats to other kids in the area. That, plus the injuries done to his little sister, will all play a factor in how the case is tried.
Clifton said they'll also take into account the wishes of the victim and the parents, which in this case is going to be difficult.
"It's going to be a little tricky, because they're stuck between a rock and a hard place, because they're the defendant's parents as well as the victim's," Clifton said.
The girl attends Duncan Lake Middle School and her brother goes to Caledonia High School. The superintendent sent out a letter to parents letting them know that they've been informed of the incident. They stated that counselors and a crisis team will be on staff and available to students as they deal with this incident.
Due to the severity of the crime and the ages of those involved, FOX 17 will not be releasing the name of the victim nor the suspect at this time.
