A 12-year-old boy accused of murdering his little brother could be sentenced to life.

Cristian Fernandez from Florida is charged with first-degree murder and will be facing trial as an adult.

According to reports, Cristian repeatedly struck his 2-year-old brother David’s head while his mother was out. David was later found unconscious bleeding badly.

When the mother, Biannela, returned home, she tried giving first-aid and only brought David to hospital after two hours.

David was suffering from a fractured skull, a bleeding brain as well as bruising to his face, according to reports.

Biannela is also charged with aggravated manslaughter by culpable negligence. According to the police, she initially maintained that David was hurt by a fall.

The prosecutor in charge of the case revealed that Cristian had previously broken David’s leg, and said that he must be charged as an adult considering his violence.

Born to a adolescent mother, Cristian was physically abused by his stepfather. Cristian’s defense lawyers added that his foster father killed himself in front of the boy.

“The whole system has failed him. This child clearly is a victim,” lawyer Rob Mason told reporters.

“We think he can be rehabilitated and, as his lawyers, we will fight for that.”



By Kang, Yoon-seung

(koreacolin@gmail.com)

Intern reporter