The 14-year-old accused of kidnapping a 7-year-old at gunpoint earlier this month will remain in secure detention.
A third suspect has also been charged; on Monday, 38-year-old Fabian Johnson was formally charged with a felony for his involvement in the kidnapping.
Authorities state Johnson confronted 7-year-old Jamal White with a firearm on July 11 and then forcefully pulled him into a getaway vehicle while yelling.
The other suspect, a juvenile male, appeared Monday afternoon at the Juvenile Justice Center. The judge ordered him to stay in secure detention and approved a petition that could result in him being prosecuted as an adult.
The juvenile, identified only by his initials and not shown via Zoom, has been in custody since his arrest earlier this week related to the armed kidnapping.
The judge highlighted the gravity of the case, stating that if prosecuted as an adult, the boy could face three felonies and one misdemeanor. Both the prosecution and a probation officer recommended he remain in custody, while his defense attorney and his mother—whose identities are protected—asked for his release.
Judge Rhodes stressed the dangers, noting that the incident is reportedly captured on tape and likely occurred while the boy was armed. “This situation is extremely dangerous, and I do not believe it would be safe to release him into the community at this time.”
The request to try the juvenile as an adult has not yet been approved. His next court date is scheduled for July 30 at 3 p.m.
