Pennsylvania Teen Charged with Deadly Stabbing Claims Responsibility for Mother’s Death

A 13-year-old girl in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County has been charged with homicide after stabbing a woman to death in a home on South Sherman Street. The police responded to a report of an unresponsive woman with multiple stab wounds to her neck, back, and head. They also found an 11-year-old boy with non-life-threatening stab wounds. The kitchen drawers and cabinets in the home were padlocked, indicating a possible attempt to restrict access to knives or cutting instruments.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found signs of forced entry to the cabinets and one padlock lying on the ground. The girl, identified as Lataya Powell, confessed to stabbing her mother during an argument and expressed remorse for her actions. She indicated that she threw the weapon on a neighbor’s doorstep after the incident. Powell made several comments while in custody, including expressing regret over the fight with her mother and questioning how people can commit such acts without feeling guilty. She has been charged with homicide, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence, and is being tried as an adult.

The incident in Wilkes-Barre involving the 13-year-old girl has shocked the community, as a young girl being charged with such a serious crime is rare. The meticulous work of law enforcement in uncovering the details of the case, including the discovery of the padlocked kitchen drawers and Powell’s confession, has shed light on the tragic event. The community is grappling with the reality of a child being charged with such a violent crime and the implications of trying a juvenile as an adult in the legal system.

The criminal complaint against Powell details her admission of guilt and remorse for her actions, as well as her understanding of the severity of the crime she committed. The investigation into the case continues as law enforcement works to gather more evidence and testimony to support the charges against the 13-year-old girl. The tragic outcome of this incident has raised questions about the circumstances that led to the violent altercation between Powell and her mother, as well as the availability of resources for families in crisis to prevent such tragedies.

Despite the horrific nature of the crime, the community is also focusing on the well-being of the 11-year-old boy who was injured in the incident. Support and resources are being provided to him and other family members affected by the tragedy. The legal proceedings surrounding Powell’s case are expected to be closely watched as the justice system navigates the complex issues surrounding juvenile offenders and the consequences of trying them as adults. The community is grappling with the shock and sorrow of the events that unfolded in their neighborhood and seeking ways to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.