Defense attorneys for a West Valley City 17-year-old accused of sexually attacking his 6-year-old neighbor told a 3rd District Juvenile Court judge that the teenager likely needs to undergo a competency evaluation.
The boy appeared Tuesday for a scheduling hearing before Judge Dane Nolan in 3rd District Court, where his defense team said they plan to file a competency petition. Nolan set the teen's next court date for Nov.12.
The teen was charged earlier this month in 3rd District Juvenile Court with second-degree felony aggravated assault, first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping, first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of sodomy upon a child with injuries.
Charges state the boy confessed to choking the girl, sexually abusing her and throwing her unconscious body into a yard near 3800 South and 7000 West on Sept. 11.
The boy's family initially credited him with discovering the youngster and reporting the incident to police. His father previously told The Salt Lake Tribune that his son, who was adopted at age 6, is mentally disabled.
The Tribune does not generally name those charged as juveniles and is not naming the suspect.
Charges state the teen lured the girl into his backyard, pushed her to the ground and began choking her. The girl fought back, scratching the boy's face and neck. She lost a tooth during the struggle before she passed out.
Deputy Salt Lake County District Attorney Alicia Cook has said that moving the case to adult court was "certainly a possibility." She said prosecutors must request a hearing before a juvenile court judge, who would decide on the jurisdiction.
