Children accused of planning to stab grandmother, siblings to death

AP Wire

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A plot by an 11-year-old boy and his 10-year-old sister to stab their strict grandmother and two siblings to death and burn the house down failed when the fire spread too quickly, authorities said.

Sheriff's detectives said the boy poured the kerosene as his younger sister laid out 10 knives. They allegedly set the fire to make the deaths appear accidental and thought it would burn slowly enough for them to stab their sleeping grandmother, 8-year-old brother and 12-year-old sister.

However, smoke from the fire early Monday woke up one of their siblings, who roused the others in the rural Franklin County house. All escaped without injury.

The grandmother, Judith Follette, said she learned the truth when the 10-year-old girl told her of the plan while the family ate breakfast at a restaurant later Monday.

She said the 11-year-old boy especially has been angry with her because she has been using tough-love tactics to get his respect, including timeouts, groundings and standing in the middle of the room on one leg.

Sheriff's detective Al Judy said the children have been on strong anti-depressant medication. He does not think they understand the consequences of their actions.

Lawyers for the pair entered innocent pleas yesterday in Franklin County Juvenile Court to delinquency counts of aggravated arson. The children were being held in juvenile detention and did not appear in court. If convicted, they could be in the state's custody until age 21.

"We filed the charges because we hope they receive some obviously needed counseling," Judy said.