Police in Florida have arrested a 14-year-old girl accused of brutally beating her elderly grandma to death. Sofia Koval allegedly beat Yevheniia Koval, 79, to death in their home in Lauderdale Lakes on May 23. The teenager reportedly beat the woman with a belt and her walker until she was unresponsive. Hospital staff later pronounced Yevheniia Koval dead.
According to NBC Miami, Sofia Koval’s father left his daughter with his mother while he went to visit a friend from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. When he returned, he found his mother unresponsive on the floor. Per an arrest report obtained by the news outlet, the teen initially said the killing was in self-defense, but it seems now her story may have changed.
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The teenager allegedly beat her grandmother to death.
Per a news release from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Sofia Koval’s father came home and reportedly found his mother unresponsive on the floor with “multiple bruises.” Paramedics took her to Broward Health Medical Center, where staff pronounced her dead. Detectives from the sheriff’s office responded to investigate.
The teenager apparently showed remorse.
Sofia Koval reportedly began to cry and was remorseful for her actions, according to an arrest report obtained by NBC Miami. She allegedly told her father she “helped” her grandmother die because she was “already dying.” It was unclear whether the grandmother had any health concerns.
An autopsy deemed the death a homicide.
The sheriff’s office reported that the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that Yevheniia Koval’s death was a homicide. Police identified Sofia Koval as the prime suspect and arrested her May 24. Deputies took her to the Juvenile Assessment Center and she was charged with second-degree murder.
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The state's attorney said Sofia Koval should be charged as an adult.
On October 1, police transferred the teen from JAC to protective custody at Broward County Jail. Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor and senior prosecutors decided to transfer the case to adult court and change the charge to manslaughter.
“Because of the heinous nature of the crime and after considering everything presented by the defense so far, I believe it is appropriate that this case should be handled in adult court. We are considering all options and working closely with her attorneys at the Broward Public Defender’s Office to come up with an appropriate resolution that holds her accountable but also factors in her age and the circumstances of this offense,” Pryor shared in a statement.
If convicted as an adult, Sofia Koval could spend up to 15 years in prison.
