A Las Vegas father reportedly died from a knife attack at the hands of his 12-year-old daughter. James Waldie, 55, passed away on December 27, 2024, following a “disagreement” with the child. The father and daughter seemingly had a tumultuous relationship, and police had been to their apartment multiple times throughout December 2024. Sadly, the final call ended in death.
According to a news release obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the girl attempted to run away prior to the stabbing, and Waldie called the police to report her missing. Police took her back to the apartment where she allegedly killed Waldie just hours later. Now, the girl is facing a murder charge.
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Waldie and the child reportedly had prior interactions with police.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that police responded to the apartment several times in the month leading up to Waldie’s death. On December 7, Waldie reported the 12-year-old as a runaway. A week later, police arrested the girl after she allegedly hit and injured Waldie. He reported her missing again on December 27. This time, police returned her to the home hours later.
A family member reportedly called police for help.
A family member contacted police around 9:30 p.m. on December 27, for a welfare check, Fox 5 reported. The caller apparently told police Waldie might be dead. When they arrived at the apartment, the 12-year-old girl allegedly told police an intruder stabbed her father. A short time later, she reportedly confessed to stabbing Waldie after an argument. Police took her into custody, and she faces a murder charge.
The child reportedly did not show signs of abuse.
“No evidence was found indicating significant physical harm to the girl prior to the incident,” according to a news release from police. Per his obituary, the 12-year-old was one of Waldie’s nine children. He had six daughters, three sons, and two grandchildren.
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Waldie's death shocked his family.
His daughter, Jaycee Lenarz, created a GoFundMe account asking for help to pay her father’s final expenses. “My sisters and I are going through an incredibly rough time right now. Not only did we lose our father, but unfortunately we lost our sister too,” she wrote in part. “Where as we never believed that she would be capable of such a horrific crime. Not only on this day was one life tragically taken, but two lives will never be the same. This have devastated the family and friends of James, knowing that he will never again crack a joke or put on a smile on someone else’s face.”
