Boy, 11, Stabbed to Death by Brother, 9, Deputies Say

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said Sunday that a 9-year-old boy stabbed and killed his 11-year-old brother while they were roughhousing in their Bellflower home Saturday afternoon.

Investigators initially thought that the boy died after falling accidentally on the knife. But after interviewing the 9-year-old and another 11-year-old boy present during the incident, they determined that the victim was intentionally stabbed.

“After investigating, we ruled that it was not accidental and that the 9-year-old is responsible,” said Deputy John McBride.

The boy is in the custody of the Los Angeles County Probation Department, McBride said. Once the investigation is completed, the district attorney’s office and the Probation Department will determine whether to file charges against the minor.

The brothers’ parents were not home when the incident occurred, McBride said. However, the boys were being baby-sat by the other 11-year-old’s mother. Deputies said she may have been out of the house or out of the room when the incident occurred.

It was “highly unlikely” that either the baby-sitter or the brother’s parents would be charged with anything, McBride said.

“The case is still being investigated, but we haven’t taken it in that direction at all,” McBride said.