Warning: This article contains information about sexual assault that could be traumatic for some readers. Discretion is advised.
CHIPPEWA FALLS, WISCONSIN: The chilling murder case of ten-year-old Lily Peters involving another minor has rattled the whole country. The little girl was allegedly beaten, tortured, and then raped by her own 14-year-old cousin, Carson Peters-Berger. The juvenile has been charged with three counts in relation to Peters’ death, whose remains were found on Monday, April 25, in a woodland near Chippewa Falls, northeast of Eau Claire, a day after she was reported missing.
Chippewa County Coroner Ronald Patten said that a preliminary autopsy carried out on the body of Lily revealed that the reasons behind her death were strangulation and blunt force trauma. He also noted, as reported by Daily Mail, that “he expected the results of toxicology tests, which will include DNA samples and more evidence on her alleged rape, within four to six weeks.”
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Will Carson Peters-Berger be charged as an adult?
Currently, Peters-Berger has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault of a child under age 13, resulting in "great bodily harm," after he was presented before an adult court. The suspect arrested on April 26 reportedly told law enforcement that "his intention was to rape and kill the victim from the get-go" after she left his mother’s home with him. Peters-Berger’s mother is Lily’s paternal aunt.
District Attorney Wade Newell, who revealed charges against Peters-Berger, also said the accused in a statement to law enforcement claimed that the juvenile suspect “essentially strangled her, hit her with a stick, before strangling her to the point of death, before he then sexually assaulted her.” The teenager’s next hearing has reportedly been scheduled for May 5 in which he will appear virtually. But Newell noted that it’s too early to say if the case will continue in adult court.
The DA’s comments refer to how, under Wisconsin law, first-degree intentional homicide cases initially begin in adult court. According to Grieve Law, “Sexual assault of a minor under the age of 13 will result in a Class A felony charge in Wisconsin. This type of charge will result in a life prison sentence.” It also adds that “In general, 1st degree sexual assault is a Class B felony, carrying up to 60 years in prison. However, if the victim was under 13 and the assault resulted in injury, you could be facing life behind bars.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, April 29, Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District shared a Facebook post, honoring Lily. The post read: “In support of Lily and her family, we invite students, staff, and our entire community to wear purple on Friday, April 29th. 💜💜💜,” which attracted a lot of comments with a user saying, “So heartbreaking!!! It's terrible to lose a child and worse to lose them under such horrific circumstances. God help this family>.” Another user wrote: “From Southern California….God Bless her family and those who are mourning her loss 💜💜💜💜🙏🏼.” The third user added: “My heart is Breaking for lily and her family to the ones that knew her and loved her to the ones that saw her on TV And instantly felt her in their heart Rest In Peace lily.”
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