9-year-old Florida boy charged with attempted murder in stabbing of 5-year-old sister

OCALA, Fla. – A 9-year-old Ocala boy faces attempted murder charges in the stabbing of his 5-year-old sister, according to police.

The stabbing happened Monday afternoon at the Berkeley Pointe Apartments east of Silver Springs Boulevard and west of 25th Avenue in Ocala.

The girl was airlifted to Shands Hospital in Gainesville with multiple stab wounds, according to Ocala police. She was alert and responsive, but an update on her condition has not been released.

Police said the mother of the children told officers she left the children alone while she went to get the mail. When she returned home, she said she walked into a room and saw her son stabbing his sister in the back with a kitchen knife, according to authorities.

The mom said she was able to grab the knife away from the boy, according to police, who added that the boy ran away. He was found hiding in a maintenance shed on the property, police said.

Investigators said the 9-year-old told police he wanted his sister to die. The boy told officers the thought to kill her entered his mind two days ago and he couldn’t stop thinking about it, according to an arrest affidavit.

News 6 is not releasing the boy’s name because of his age.

At his first appearance before a judge Tuesday, a public defender was appointed to represent the boy, who will remain in secured detention. The judge also ordered the boy to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

The boy’s next court hearing is February 5.

Check back for updates.