LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A 17-year-old accused of stabbing multiple horses at a barrel racing competition will remain in custody until her adult certification hearing in July.
On Thursday morning, a judge said the teen was a “danger to the public” and the allegations against her are “serious.”
The teen’s parents were in the courtroom and became emotional during the hearing. Her public defender said the teen denies the charges. The defender noted she is a graduate of Centennial High School and has a significant mental health history.
MORE ON FOX5 | Clark County DA seeks to try teen accused in Las Vegas horse stabbing as an adult
Prosecutors argued she should remain in custody, saying she used a deadly weapon and the attack was premeditated.
Earlier this week, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said he is asking a juvenile judge to certify the teen as an adult. Wolfson confirmed to FOX5 the teen is three months shy of her 18th birthday.
On Saturday, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said officers were called about 2:07 a.m. to a report that a horse had been injured at a barn area at South Point Casino, where a barrel racing competition was being held.
Police said three horses were intentionally injured with a sharp object. The injuries were not considered life-threatening but prevented the horses from competing through the weekend.
LVMPD’s Animal Cruelty Section identified a teenage girl as a possible suspect and took her into custody. She was booked into Clark County Juvenile Hall.
The teen faces 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming or torturing an animal and three counts of felony malicious destruction of property.
The certification hearing is set for July 8th.
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