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Anthony Hutchens: Indiana teen, 16, sentenced to 64 years for killing girl, 6

Hutchens was given two sentences comprising 55 years for the murder of Ross, as well as an additional nine years for child molestation

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised.

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA: An Indiana teen named Anthony Hutchens, 16, who claimed to police that a "shadowy man" had instructed him to commit murder, was found guilty of killing 6-year-old Grace Ross. St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Sanford sentenced Hutchens as a juvenile to a total sentence of 64 years on Friday, March 31.

Hutchens was given two sentences comprising 55 years for the murder of Ross after being found guilty in St. Joseph County, as well as an additional nine years for child molestation. The juvenile facility will submit Sanford a report on Hutchens' time there when he turns 18 years old. After that, Sanford will decide whether Hutchens should be released from custody, sentenced to an adult facility, placed in community corrections, or remain at the juvenile center until his 21st birthday. Hutchens will be required to register as a violent sex offender if and when he is released.

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How did Grace Ross die?

Ross was discovered dead in a forested area close to her residence in New Carlisle, close to South West, in March 2021. She was molested, strangled, and suffered blunt force trauma. Her cause of death was determined to be a homicide by asphyxiation after being found with blunt force injuries.

Hutchens was barely 14 years old when he murdered Ross. He was charged as an adult. His attorney announced that he would appeal the decision on the grounds that the case should have been heard in a juvenile court.

'Isolation for this little evil son of a gun!'

On Twitter, many individuals have voiced their opinions in response to Hutchens's prison term. One person wrote, "This is stupid...yeah he was a kid...but fry him or give him life." Another person, "The teenager accused in the molestation and death of a young girl in 2021 has been sentenced." This other person wrote, "People in prison will show him how much they hate anyone who rapes and murders a child." A third person responded, "Yup! Isolation for this little evil son of a gun!"

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