Katie 
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin: On Tuesday, April 26, Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm held a press conference announcing that a juvenile had been arrested for the murder of 10-year-old Iliana "Lily" Peters.
"These tips were critical to solving this case," Kelm told reporters after disclosing that the police had already received in excess of 200 tips concerning the case.
Lily had been reported missing Sunday night after she failed to return home from her aunt's residence, and her body was located the following morning.
The 14-year-old made his first appearance in court yesterday where Judge Benjamin Lane set his bail at $1 million cash. He is being held at the Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Eau Claire.
During those proceedings Judge Lane sealed the criminal complaint and ordered that no video or photos be taken of the boy.
Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell asked for a high bail "given the statements the defendant made to law enforcement, that his intention was to rape and kill the victim form the get-go." He expressed that the boy could pose a further threat to the community should he be released from custody.
The boy's defense attorney argued for a bail amount of $100,000 pointing out that he was merely an 8th grader with no drivers license that had lived in Chippewa County his entire life.
Judge Lane sided with the prosecution saying, "This is a serious charge and because of serious charges, there are serious consequences, which gives a greater incentive for individuals not to want to return to court."
Despite his age, the boy is being charged as an adult. His name has not yet been disclosed nut he has been identified by the initials CPB.
Newell described the attack during the bond hearing saying, "he punched the victim in the stomach, knocked her to the ground, essentially strangled her, hit her with a stick, before strangling her to the point to death- before he then sexually assaulted her."
He has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault of a child. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison.
His next court date is scheduled for May 5, 2022.
Contributor
