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HORRIFIC ATTACK
THE suspect in 10-year-old Lily Peters' murder is a 14-year-old boy who allegedly strangled her to death before sexually assaulting her.
The district attorney revealed the new information in court on Wednesday as a $1million bond was handed down for the suspect.
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District Attorney Wade Newell said in court: "His intention was to rape and kill the victim from the get-go when he left the house with the victim going down the trail."
Newell alleged that the 14-year-old, who is an eighth-grader, punched and knocked Lily to the ground and hit her with a stick. He then allegedly strangled her to death and sexually assaulted her, Newell said.
The teen is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault, and first-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 resulting in great bodily harm.
Newell said that two of the three charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
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Judge Ben Lane said: "This was a serious threat to the community, so the court is concerned this could be a further threat if released."
The $1million cash bond was ordered, along with conditions of no contact with juveniles or possession of dangerous weapons.
The district attorney told reporters after the hearing that the case is currently in adult court.
"In Wisconsin, first-degree intentional homicide, which is the first count in the criminal complaint, by law, starts originally in adult court," Newell said.
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"Regarding keeping it in adult court, I think it's premature to make any determinations regarding that at this time.
"I think it's a very serious case that needs to be dealt with as is intended by the law."
He declined to provide details about how the case was solved.
The suspect is being held at a juvenile detention center and another hearing was scheduled for 3.30pm on Thursday, May 5.
ARREST ANNOUNCED
Chippewa Falls Chief Matt Kelm revealed that they had a juvenile suspect in custody on Tuesday, a day after Lily's body was discovered a few blocks north of her home.
Kelm said that the suspect was arrested earlier in the evening but declined to provide more information during a press conference.
But the police chief did acknowledge that the suspect "wasn't a stranger" to Lily.
He told reporters that the Peters family was aware of the bombshell arrest, which came after police combed the little girl's home and the area around her school for answers.
He said that police do not believe there is any danger to the community after the death sparked widespread fears of a predator on the loose.
"While nothing will bring Lily Peters back, or change what happened, we are very grateful to be able to deliver this news for the family and for the community," Kelm told reporters.
He pointed out purple ribbons placed all throughout Chippewa Falls in honor of Lily, whose remains were discovered on Monday not far from her bike outside the Lienenkugel Brewery.
"And, honestly, I would expect nothing less from the Chippewa Falls community," Kelm added of the tribute to the fourth-grader.
It came after local police came under fire for not immediately issuing an AMBER Alert after Lily's disapperance.
More than 200 tips were received by the police department, according to Kelm, which he said were “critical” in solving the case.
The crime scene is still being held by the security team and people were asked to continue to avoid the area.
An autopsy on Lily's body was being conducted, Kelm said.
A search was launched at 9pm on Sunday, when Lily's father told police that Lily never returned home from visiting her aunt's house, which is four blocks from their family home.
As K9 and search teams scoured the area, a bicycle was found in the woods near a walking trail that bordered the brewery parking lot.
The missing person investigation turned into a homicide probe after police found Lily's body at about 9.15am on Monday.
Kelm said her body was found near the Duncan Creek Trail, in the same area where the bike was discovered.
WARNING TO PARENTS
Before the suspect's arrest, a warning was issued by Lily's school, Parkview Elementary, with the administration recommending that parents refrain from letting their children walk to school alone.
"By now, you have most likely heard about the tragic incident that occurred last night into today, claiming the life of a CFAUSD student," the school's superintendent Jeff Holmes said in a Monday statement to parents.
"We do not plan to formally announce what happened, as we are not privy to those details - we believe that law enforcement needs to be the ones to decide what or how much to share in that regard."
The administration went on to say that counseling services would be made available to students as they deal with the tragedy.
COMMUNITY SHAKEN
"Please pray for Lilly's (sic) parents Alexander Peters and Jennifer Eyerly," a man who identified himself as family said on Facebook.
"I can't imagine what you are all going through."
Hundreds of people left comments on the police department's social media posts about the case.
"It makes me sick to think about it," one person said.
"It's so depressing. Our hearts were ripped out this week hearing about this young girl and what has happened to her. My deepest condolences to her family and friends."
A prayer vigil was held for Lily on Monday night and a memorial was placed near where her body was found.
“The people of our community are honest, hard-working, and kindhearted," Chief Kelm said.
"It’s almost impossible to believe that something this horrific could happen in our city.
"And an event like this threatens our sense of security."
An event like this threatens our sense of security.
Chief Kelm
Residents shared their shock over Lily's death in a Facebook group titled "Justice for Iliana "Lily" Peters.
"Is it normal for a 10 year little girl to be able to go 4 blocks alone?" one commenter wrote.
"Maybe I’m over protective [sic] but at 10 I would not allow my daughter to go more than 2 houses away."
Others suggested that residents in the area should check their surveillance footage while also sharing their grief for Lily and her family.
"I'm praying for this family. How horrible," one community member said.
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"Our kids aren't safe to walk the streets no matter how close it is or how small the town."
Anyone with information about Lily's death was asked to contact the Chippewa County Dispatch Center at 715-726-7701 and select Option 1.
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