Source: Scott Olson/Getty Images / Getty
On Wednesday a15-year-old boy was charged with murder, kidnapping and rape in the death of 8-year-old Madyson Middleton in the California beach town of an artists complex. According to police, Madyson Middleton was lured by Adrian Jerry Gonzalez into his family’s apartment from a courtyard where she had been riding her scooter over the weekend.
The charging document claims that when he got her inside Gonzalez tied her up, sexually assaulted and killed her. Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell said Gonzalez will be charged as an adult and the charges could send Gonzalez to prison for the rest of his life.
Rosell also said that he’s never seen a 15-year-old charged with murder in his career. Larry Biggam of the Santa Cruz public defender’s office is expected to be appointed as the teen’s lawyer at the arraignment Thursday. In regard to a motive authorities haven’t been able to establish one.
The Tannery Arts Center is described as a public-private nonprofit, which includes 100 affordable loft apartments for artists and their families. Its estimated that about 250 people live in the complex, including about 50 children.
Neighbors at the center where both the suspect and Madyson lived are stunned by the death. Madyson was headed for fourth grade in the fall.
At this time Gonzalez remains in custody at the Santa Cruz County juvenile detention center, where he has been held since the girl’s body was found in a recycling bin Monday evening.
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