A 12-year-old girl accused of fatally stabbing her father in North Las Vegas is scheduled to undergo a competence evaluation in a Clark County court, as per local reports. The child, whose identity has not been disclosed, is facing charges of murder and murder with the use of a deadly weapon in relation to the death of 56-year-old James Waldie. The incident took place on Dec. 27 following an altercation between the girl and her father after she had run away from home, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Reports from Las Vegas CBS affiliate KLAS indicate that prior to the fatal stabbing, law enforcement had responded to instances of the girl attempting to run away and a domestic disturbance earlier in December. The girl’s attorney, Jon Chagoya, has raised concerns about her competency during court proceedings. A hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 16 in Clark County Family Court to address these issues.
“In Nevada, children accused of serious crimes must possess the ability to comprehend the charges against them and assist their defense counsel,” Chagoya stated in a release to USA TODAY on Tuesday. “Based on our interactions and investigations, we have reservations about our client meeting these criteria at this time, considerations that extend beyond her age as a 12-year-old facing the complexities of the legal system.”
The victim, James Waldie, is described as a cherished family member who was battling stage four cancer, as detailed on a GoFundMe page created by his daughter, Jaycee Lenarz. The page pays tribute to Waldie as a resilient individual who never gave up, a devoted father to his children, a caring son who regularly checked on his mother, and a talkative brother.
“He was a fighter who surely never gave up, a father who cared and loved his children, a son who regularly checked on his mom, and brother who would talk an ear off,” the GoFundMe page states.
The family, as mentioned on the fundraising page, had not believed that the accused was capable of such a violent act prior to the tragic incident. The page reflects on the profound impact of the events of that day, highlighting the irreversible loss suffered by the family.
“Not only on this day was one life tragically taken, but two lives will never be the same,” the page reads.
USA TODAY has attempted to contact Jaycee Lenarz through the GoFundMe page for additional comments, but as of now, there has been no immediate response.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Competency hearing for North Las Vegas child in father’s stabbing death.
