Dalton's ruling came after a detention hearing to determine whether the boy should be released to his parents or stay behind bars. The judge decided the circumstances of the case merited detention in a state juvenile facility for the time being, a question the court is scheduled to revisit Sept. 17.

In a motion arguing for his release, the boy’s attorneys said all weapons have been removed from his home, the family is seeking mental health treatment and the boy is to be home-schooled by his stay-at-home mother following his expulsion from school. The defense attorneys also suggested the court could place the boy on GPS monitoring as the case moves forward.

State laws allow for juvenile court proceedings to be held behind closed doors. But the prosecuting attorney in Scott County has asked the court to try the boy as a youthful offender, which means the trial proceedings would happen in adult court if the judge approves. If convicted as a youthful offender, the boy would be supervised by the juvenile court system until his 18th birthday, then be sentenced in adult court.

Several questions surrounding the boy’s case remain unanswered. Authorities have not disclosed how the boy obtained the gun or what would have motivated him to try to kill his teacher.