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11-Year-Old Charged With Murder in Death of 5-Year-Old Brother in Colorado
An 11-year-old boy is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his 5-year-old brother in Centennial, Colorado, according to authorities.
The investigation began around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, when deputies with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in the Park View neighborhood. Officials said that by Wednesday afternoon investigators determined the suspect was the victim’s older brother, and the case is now being investigated as a homicide.
Authorities confirmed the boy has been taken into custody and is being held at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center in Centennial. Deputies said there is no danger to the community, and that everyone involved in the case has been identified.
“Our hearts go out to the family of these two young boys and to everyone in our community who is grieving this loss,” Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown said in a statement. “Cases involving the homicide of children are among the most difficult our deputies and investigators face. Our team is fully committed to a thorough investigation, and we will continue working tirelessly to determine exactly what happened.”
The cause of death has not yet been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.
On Wednesday afternoon, deputies were seen searching the surrounding neighborhood with drones and K-9 units, covering a large area near Timberline Elementary School, which neighbors say the young victim attended.
The school’s principal, Mary Bowens, sent an email to parents informing them that a kindergarten student had died unexpectedly. The message did not identify the child by name but noted the incident is under investigation.
“Because this news is sensitive, we want to give parents and guardians an opportunity to speak with their students first,” Bowens wrote, adding that the school would not initiate conversations about the death with students but that teachers would support any children who come forward with questions or concerns.
Photo of caution tape

My heart goes out to the family’: 11-year-old accused of killing 5-year-old brother

 Devastating and heartbreaking, words that carry so much weight. But still, it isn’t enough to accurately describe what a Colorado family is going through.

Their youngest child is dead, and another child has been charged with murder.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said a 5-year-old boy was killed at his home this week.

Investigators believe the boy’s 11-year-old brother is responsible.

The news is hard to absorb for neighbors who shared that their kids played together.

“It’s something that you know, as a parent, is probably your worst nightmare,” neighbor Kirby O’Loughlin said.

Wednesday afternoon, deputies performed a grid search in an area behind the home.

The 11-year-old is now in custody at the Foote Youth Services Center in Centennial. He faces a first-degree murder charge.

“My heart goes out to the family,” another neighbor, Emily Silengo, said. “To hear that makes me pretty emotional.”

An 11-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the death of his 5-year-old brother at a home in Centennial, Colorado, authorities said.

Deputies with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office responded around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to a home where they were investigating the death of a child.

Investigators later determined that the suspect in the boy’s death was the victim’s 11-year-old brother, according to the sheriff’s office. The case is being investigated as a homicide, though the cause of death remains under investigation.

Arapahoe Sheriff's Office vehicle

Authorities in Colorado have arrested an 11-year-old boy on suspicion of murdering his 5-year-old brother, who was found dead inside their home.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said it began investigating the death of a 5-year-old after responding to a home in Centennial, a suburb of Denver, around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, according to a social media post.

“Everyone involved has been identified, and there is no danger to the community,” the statement read. Hours later, the sheriff’s office provided an update, saying the victim’s 11-year-old brother is suspected of killing him.

“The case is being investigated as a homicide,” the sheriff’s office said. “The cause of death remains under investigation.”

The suspect, who has not been named, is facing charges of first-degree murder. He is being held at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center, according to authorities. Further details surrounding the death were not provided, with the sheriff’s office saying it remains an “open and active investigation.”

“Because both the victim and the suspect are minors, the information we release will be limited,” authorities noted.

Sheriff Tyler Brown offered his sympathy to the family and community. “Our hearts go out to the family of these two young boys and to everyone in our community who is grieving this loss.”

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“We know tragedies like this impact not only the family, but also classmates, teachers, and neighbors throughout the community. We appreciate the support and patience of the public as our investigators work to gather the facts and pursue justice in this case.”

PEOPLE reached out to the 18th District Attorney’s Office for comment on the murder charges but did not immediately hear back on Thursday, March 12.

A spokesperson for the D.A.’s office declined to provide further details in a statement obtained by the Denver Gazette, but said formal charges are expected to be filed within the next week. The case is being heard in Juvenile Court and the child is not currently facing adult charges, per the statement.

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