- Lataya Powell, 13, allegedly stabbed her mother and younger brother, 11, at their home in Wilkes-Barre on Friday.
- The teen is charged as an adult with murder, two counts of aggravated assault and tampering with evidence.
- The assault appeared to have occurred during an argument involving Powell’s cell phone.
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A thirteen-year-old girl has been charged with murder after stabbing her mother to death, according to Pennsylvania police.
Lataya Powell allegedly stabbed her mother, Temeeka Tucker, 44, and her younger brother, 11, in their home in the 20 block of South Sherman Street in Wilkes-Barre on Friday.
She is being charged as an adult with murder, two counts of aggravated assault and tampering with evidence.
local news images from PA’s house shows the moment Powell is taken away by police in handcuffs and a reporter asks her if she has “any emotion” about what she did.
Powell, dressed in a red tartan-print shirt and pants, responds with “regret, guilt and self-disgust” before being placed in the back of a police vehicle.
Lataya Powell, 13, allegedly stabbed her mother and younger brother, 11,
The attack occurred at his home in the 20 block of South Sherman Street in Wilkes-Barre on Friday.
Powell reportedly told police that “I killed my mother and she will never forgive me if she is alive.”
Powell also told them he threw the gun at the neighbor’s door, according to a police affidavit.
Security camera footage backed up his claim, investigators said.
Once in custody, the affidavit states that Powell told police, “I don’t have my phone because my mom took it before our fight” and “I’m the reason my mom is dead.”
Police said they found the mother with multiple stab wounds to her neck, back and a heavy flow of blood coming from her head when they arrived at the scene.
She was later pronounced dead by the Luzerne County Coroner.
The 11-year-old boy who was at the scene with apparent stab wounds to his back is expected to recover.
In a statement issued Saturday, investigators said they noticed kitchen drawers and cabinets were padlocked in the home.
Investigators said they noticed kitchen drawers and cabinets were padlocked in the home.
Powell also told them he threw the gun at the neighbor’s door, according to a police affidavit.
A drawer used to store cutlery had been forced open with the padlock found on the ground nearby.
According to police, Powell was also found with blood on his hands.
Neighbors told News 16 the family was new to the neighborhood.
“I’m thankful I wasn’t here because you never know what could have happened,” one neighbor told Fox 56.
“But I think something good could come out of this and that she will be able to get the help she needs.” My prayers are with the family and I’m sorry this happened,’ she added.