Isabella Courtney: Texas girl, 6, allegedly murdered by her 12-year-old cousin at home
RIVER OAKS, TEXAS: A six-year-old Texas girl was allegedly killed by her cousin in an apparent "accident," but now he is facing a murder charge in connection with her death.
Isabella Courtney was found "severely injured" Wednesday evening, August 18, outside her residence in River Oaks, Fort Worth, WBAP reported. Authorities responded to a call shortly after 7.30 pm and tried their best to rescue the youngster until paramedics arrived. However, Courtney succumbed to her injuries around 8.30 pm at Cook Children's Medical Center, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
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While police are yet to publicly reveal the nature of Courtney's injuries, they immediately detained a 12-year-old boy at the scene. At the time of writing, it wasn't unclear what prompted the authorities to arrest the boy, who has not been identified for legal reasons. However, he is now facing a count of delinquent-conduct murder," the Star-Telegram reported.
According to the newspaper, the boy is Courtney's cousin but her parents are his legal custodians. Steven and April Courtney told a court that the boy was like a brother to their beloved daughter. It later emerged that other children were at the residence when the incident took place. Neighbors told the Star-Telegram that they saw the children's toys on the family's property.
Family friend Heather Canedo started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to pay for the girl's funeral expenses, describing the tragedy as "an accident at home."
“They are faced with every parent's worse nightmare. Their youngest daughter, Bella, was taken from them last night due to an accident at home,” she wrote.
“She has touched so many lives and will be missed,” Canedo continued. “We ask everyone for thoughts and prayers as they support each other, their children, and family during this loss. Out of privacy for the family, we are not posting details regarding the accident. They will need assistance with memorial services and other expenses as a result of the accident. Please donate anything you can. Every dollar is greatly appreciated."
According to the GoFundMe page, the donations "will be spent on memorial expenses and family expenses included loss of wages due to bereavement, medical, and other expenses associated with the loss of Bella Courtney."
River Oaks Police Chief Christopher Spieldenner called the case “absolutely tragic.” “They don’t get any worse than this,” he told the Star-Telegram. “This is one of the most traumatic type of calls that police officers, dispatchers, and call takers can be involved in. It’s extremely emotional and not only for just the police department but for the community and this family. It’s absolutely tragic,” he told reporters.
That said, the suspect is currently being held at the Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center, where he has a detention hearing in the coming week.
MEAWW previously reported how an Ohio teacher faced backlash for her comments about a 10-year-old former student who tragically died in a shootout. Persayus Davis-May was killed and three others injured in an early Wednesday, August 18, shooting on Samuel Avenue in Youngstown. Just minutes earlier, a man was shot to death in his pickup truck nearby. Authorities believe the two incidents are linked and are offering a sizeable reward for information that leads to a conviction.