Early this morning, a 14-year-old boy walked into a Vinita police station to report to authorities that he shot and killed his stepmother. By 8:00 a.m., Vinita police had contacted the OSBI to take over the investigation.

After the teen's startling admission to murdering his stepmother, investigators went to the home, where they found the body of Laura Beth Hendrix, 38. The juvenile was taken into custody and was being interviewed by detectives, but as of this writing, he had not yet been charged with a crime. Investigators have not released the teen's name nor revealed a motive for the murder.

In Oklahoma, minors are prosecuted as either juvenile delinquents, youthful offenders, or adults, depending on the nature of the case. For misdemeanors and nonviolent crimes, minors under the age of 18 typically have their cases handled by the Office of Juvenile affairs. This means that the case is adjudicated in juvenile court, and, if found guilty, the minor is adjudicated delinquent by the court.

However, some cases are more serious and warrant harsher penalties than juvenile adjudication, yet still acknowledge a minor's chances of rehabilitation. In these cases, a minor is certified as a youthful offender. Youthful offenders may remain in a juvenile detention center longer than would a juvenile delinquent, and may also transfer to an adult facility if they do not take full advantage of opportunities for education and rehabilitation.

Minors aged 15, 16, or 17 are certified as youthful offenders if charged with the following crimes or their attempt:

  • Second degree murder
  • Kidnapping
  • First degree manslaughter
  • Armed robbery
  • First degree robbery
  • First degree rape or rape by instrumentation
  • Forcible sodomy
  • Lewd molestation
  • First degree arson 
  • Shooting with intent to kils or using a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a weapon

Sixteen and 17 year olds are also certified as youthful offenders for the following crimes or their attempt:

  • First degree burglary
  • Battery or assault and batteryon a state employee or contractor while in the custody or supervision of the Office of Juvenile Affairs
  • Aggravated assault and battery of a police officer
  • Intimidating a witness
  • Trafficking in drugs or manufacturing illegal drugs
  • Assault or assault and battery with a deadly weapon
  • Maiming
  • Residential burglary in the second degree after two or more adjudications that are separated in time for delinquency for committing burglary in the first degree or residential burglary in the second degree
  • Second degree rape
  • Use of a firearm while in commission of a felony

Minors are only charged as adults for cases of first degree murder, unless they have been previously tried as adults (once an adult, always an adult in the eyes of the law). Minors aged 13 through 17 are charged as adults for first degree murder; however, a 13-year-old or 14-year-old may be certified as a youthful offender rather than as an adult.

Image Credit: Tony Webster