12-year-old alleged to have stabbed father to be evaluated for competency to stand trial
A 12-year-old girl alleged to have fatally stabbed her father in North Las Vegas is set to be evaluated for competence in a Clark County court, according to local reports.
The child, who has not been named, faces one count of murder and one count of murder with use of a deadly weapon, according to her attorneys, in connection with the stabbing of 56-year-old James Waldie.
The Las Vegas Review Journal reported that the incident occurred on Dec. 27 after the girl ran away from home, then got into an argument with her father after being returned home.
Las Vegas CBS affiliate KLAS reported that the investigation found that police had responded to previous runaway attempts and a domestic disturbance earlier in December.
The girl's lawyer, Jon Chagoya, raised questions about the girl's competency in court Friday. She will have a hearing on Jan. 16 in Clark County Family Court.
"In Nevada children charged with serious offenses must be able to understand the nature of the allegations and aid defense counsel," Chagoya said in a statement to Paste BN Tuesday night. "Based on our conversations and investigation we have concerns that our client meets those requirements at this time, which are based on more than just the fact she is a 12-year-old girl facing the full weight of the criminal justice system."
Victim described as 'fighter'
Waldie is described as a beloved family member who had stage four cancer on a GoFundMe page organized by his daughter, Jaycee Lenarz.
"He was a fighter who surely never gave up, a father who cared and loved his children, a son who regularly checked on his mom, and brother who would talk an ear off," the GoFundMe page reads.
The page says that the family did not believe the accused was capable of the act before the incident and says that the family suffered two losses that day.
"Not only on this day was one life tragically taken, but two lives will never be the same," the page reads.
Paste BN has reached out to Lenarz through the GoFundMe page for further comment but did not receive an immediate response.