THORNTON, Colo. — The Adams County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday charges of murder against a 15-year-old over the death of Kiaya Campbell, a Thornton 10-year-old.
Charges against the 15-year-old currently include two counts of first-degree murder under murder after deliberation and murder of a child. The latter charge relates to violation of a position of trust for a child under 12-years-old. Those charges are in a juvenile court currently, blocking the release of the suspect's name.
As the suspect is under 15-years-old, the District Attorney must request the charges be elevated to adult court and a judge would decide whether or not to grant the motion. The District Attorney announced he will seek adult charges on Wednesday.
"I informed the court that I'm working on a motion now to have him transferred to an adult court," 17th Juridical District Attorney Dave Young said.
A judge closed the second hearing in the case Wednesday to the press. In that afternoon hearing, family members of both Kiaya Campbell and the 15-year-old boy were present.
Campbell left her dad's home in Thornton with a 15-year-old to walk to a nearby store last Wednesday evening. She never returned home but the boy did.
On Thursday, police issued an AMBER Alert, leading to a large scale investigation by more than 20 police agencies and hundreds of volunteers. Later that day, a nearby resident located the body of a young girl.
That body was later identified as Campbell, and her death was ruled a homicide on Friday. Two days later police announced the arrest of a 15-year-old in connection with the case.
Thornton Police collected what they described as a "massive" amount of evidence in the neighborhood where her body was found. That evidence will likely be critical as the case moves forward.
Eventually, police were able to locate Campbell's body. A coroner confirmed Campbell's death was not accidental and police began investigating the crime as a homicide. Not long after, police took into custody a 15-year-old in connection with the crime.
A full autopsy report has not yet been made public, so details surrounding Campbell's death are not yet available.
TIMELINE: Follow the developing timeline in the following pages of this story.
Wednesday, June 7 — Campbell leaves her home with a 15-year-old friend at about 7 p.m. to head to a shopping center.
Wednesday, June 7 — At 11:52 p.m., Thornton Police Department officers rushed to Forest Drive when family members reported Campbell as missing. Originally, police said she had been separated from the 15-year-old friend in a rain storm near the 12900 block of Colorado Boulevard.
Thursday, June 8 — Through the night and early into the morning of June 8, police continued a wide search that included bodies of water.
Thursday, June 8 — AMBER Alert activated at 1:37 p.m. as concern grows and search intensifies. Police gave a new location where she had last been seen at 12466 Forest Drive.
Thursday, June 8 — AMBER Alert cancelled after a resident found Campbell's body at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, June 9 — Coroner identifies the body as that of 10-year-old Campbell on Friday afternoon. The coroner affirms the cause of death was not accidental.
Friday, June 9 — At 7 p.m., Thornton Police Department officials deem the investigation a homicide.
Friday, June 9 — Hundreds of pieces of evidence have been collected, with police announcing they will be sorted and analyzed.
Saturday, June 10 — At 11:38 p.m., police arrested a 15-year-old juvenile male for investigation of first-degree murder.
Sunday, June 11 — Police release details of the arrest to the public, declining to name the teen.
Monday, June 12 — The 15-year-old appeared at a 1:30 p.m. hearing to decide where the teen will be held. The judge closed the hearing, denying media access.
Wednesday, June 14 — First-degree murder charges filed in juvenile court, however DA announces desire to see adult charges filed.
Denver7 will continue to update this developing story as more is known.
