The 15-year-old accused killer of Grace Ross, 6,will be tried as an adult in St. Joseph County Superior Court.
Anthony Hutchens of New Carlisle is also being charged with molesting the girl.
If convicted, he could get up to 65 years in prison on the murder charge–and as much as 16 years for child molesting.
Custody of the defendant has been transferred from the Thomas N. Frederick Juvenile Justice Center in South Bend to the St. Joseph County Sheriff.
He’s being held without bond.
The girl’s body was found in the woods near her home less than two hours after her family reported her missing back in March of last year.
The following news release was sent to 95.3 MNC on Friday, March 11:
St. Joseph County – On Friday afternoon, the St. Joseph County Probate Court granted the State’s petition to waive Anthony Hutchens, 15, of New Carlisle to the St. Joseph County Superior Court. The Probate Court also denied the defense’s motion to request certification of
interlocutory order and to stay proceedings.
In Probate Court, Hutchens was charged with two counts of murder and one count of child molesting following the March 12, 2021, death of Grace Ross, 6, of New Carlisle.
Criminal charges will now be filed in Superior Court.
The sentencing range for murder is 45 to 65 years. The sentencing range for child molesting, a Level 3 felony, is 3 to 16 years.
As part of the waiver order, custody of Hutchens was transferred from the Thomas N. Frederick Juvenile Justice Center to the St. Joseph County Sheriff, who will hold Hutchens without bond.
