article





SEATTLE -- A Puyallup teen told police he flew into a rage before attacking a 7-year-old girl and leaving her for dead. Now, he could face a charge of attempted murder.



New details are emerging as that teen faced a judge Friday regarding the brutal attack.



The young girl who was attacked underwent surgery on Friday to fix lacerations around her neck,and is said to be in stable condition.







In court, the 14-year-old suspect stared straight ahead and spoke softly.



“It is brutal and it is difficult on many different parties,” prosecutor Kevin Benton said.



According to probable cause documents, the teen lured the little girl from a playground at their apartment complex to show her a bird's nest in the woods. That’s where police said he went on the attack, punching her and knocking her to the ground. Court documents said the victim told authorities she screamed for him to stop during what police have called a "savage attack."



The boy later told detectives he knew he was going to get in trouble so he “had to get rid of her so she couldn’t tell anyone.”



He then reportedly pulled her further into the woods and then choked her until she passed out.



The girl was eventually found after police brought in a bloodhound. She was so badly hurt she had to be carried out, but not before telling police who attacked her.



Neighbors, who had also searched for the young girl, were shocked.



“That’s absolutely heartbreaking,” Sierra Stuln said. “I can’t even imagine someone doing that to a little girl and then leaving her.”



The lacerations around the girl’s neck required surgery and a doctor's exam also revealed signs of sexual assault.



In court, prosecuting attorney Kevin Benton asked the judge to hold the boy over the weekend as they consider charges that could include attempted murder and rape of a child.



“The most disturbing thing is we have a 7-year-old child. It’s also disturbing that we have a 14-year-old child, so there really is nothing about this that isn’t disturbing,” Benton said.