The Mayor of Washington D.
C., Democrat Muriel Bowser, has reportedly expressed her disapproval towards a Superior Court judge's decision to release a 15-year-old carjacking suspect.
The minor, whose identity remains undisclosed, was allowed to return home pending her trial for separate robbery charges. However, she was subsequently implicated in a carjacking incident involving a ride-share driver, which tragically resulted in the death of her half-sister, as reported by NBC Washington.
Mayor Bowser criticized the judge's decision, stating, "In my opinion, youve been arrested for the seventh time for carjacking, [secure detention] is where you belong." She further clarified that the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services does not make such decisions, but rather, it is the prerogative of the judge. "The child was sent home. The child is now not with us," Bowser added, highlighting the tragic outcome of the decision.
The teenager in question had a history of arrests, having been apprehended seven times previously for carjacking. Judge Andrea Hertzfeld of the D.C. Superior Court had initially ordered the minor to be held in a secure house while awaiting trial for charges filed in April. However, when a secure house placement could not be found, the teenager was allowed to return home, under the condition of wearing a GPS monitor, as reported by NBC Washington.
Mayor Bowser emphasized the need for stricter measures against juvenile offenders, stating, "We need to make sure children dont learn that they can do carjackings randomly and without punishment. A secured environment may actually help them get the services that they need."
The city has been grappling with a series of carjacking incidents recently. Among the victims was Democratic Texas Representative Henry Cuellar, who was targeted outside his Navy Yard residence. According to reports, three armed men approached Cuellar while he was parking his car and subsequently stole the vehicle. This incident underscores the urgency of addressing the issue of carjacking in the city.
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