A 14-year-old boy has admitted to killing a 64-year-old woman in her home in Fairfax, Ohio. The woman was found dead in February.
The boy, who was 13 at the time, pleaded guilty to several charges, including murder and burglary. He will be held at a youth detention center until he turns 21, which is the maximum age for juvenile inmates.
Sheila Denise Tenpenny was found dead in her home on February 2. The coroner’s office said she had injuries to her head and neck.
Police connected the boy to the crime after finding his blood in the house. Reports say Tenpenny scratched his face, and she had a piece of his hair in her hand when she died.
Tenpenny’s brother found her body and called the police.
The boy was charged with the murder about ten days later.
Prosecutors said the teen had been planning the murder for months. They added that he had researched how to strangle someone and find a victim.
After the crime, the boy reportedly posted about it on social media.
An investigator said the teen also searched online for “how to defeat police interrogation” and sent messages saying “I think I just got caught” while police were investigating.
Sheila Denise Tenpenny was remembered as a kind and funny person who will be missed.
