Judge places 12-year-old accused in deadly DC carjacking on 21-day psychiatric hold, victim identified as Vernard Toney, Jr.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Judge Orders 12-Year-Old Suspect in Deadly DC Carjacking to Undergo Psychiatric Evaluation

WASHINGTON – In a shocking turn of events, a judge has ruled that a 12-year-old suspect accused in an attempted carjacking that resulted in a tragic death must undergo a 21-day psychiatric evaluation. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed due to their age, was allegedly involved in the carjacking incident alongside a 13-year-old companion.

According to authorities, the incident took place in late October when the young duo attempted to carjack an off-duty federal security officer. Tragically, the situation escalated, resulting in the 13-year-old, identified as Vernard Toney Jr., being shot by the driver and later succumbing to his injuries.

During a recent status hearing, the defense attorney representing the 12-year-old suspect requested their release into the custody of their mother. The attorney assured the court that the suspect’s mother would ensure constant supervision, with the exception of attending school. However, prosecutors strongly objected to this proposal, arguing that the suspect was meant to be under the mother’s supervision on the night of the fatal shooting.

As the hearing progressed, a doctor who had conducted a psychiatric evaluation of the 12-year-old suspect recommended a 21-day hospital treatment at the renowned Psychiatric Institute of Washington. Both the prosecution and the defense attorney agreed to this recommendation. Interestingly, during the hearing, the defense attorney highlighted that the suspect had allegedly been subjected to bullying by older teenagers at the Youth Services Center (YSC), which is D.C.’s juvenile detention center.

The issue of violence and bullying at the YSC is not new. Ward 8 councilmember Trayon White expressed concerns about these matters, stating that members of the community had approached him with complaints. In light of these concerns, Councilmember White recently toured the facility to assess the situation firsthand.

“There are a lot of safety and security concerns here. I’ve only been here for three hours, so I can only imagine what’s going on at nighttime. Youth have expressed their distress to me,” Councilmember White remarked.

In an attempt to address these concerns, FOX 5 reached out to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services for comment. However, as of now, there has been no response from the department.

This latest development in the case has sparked debates about the appropriate handling of juvenile offenders and the need for improved mental health support within the justice system. As the 12-year-old suspect awaits their psychiatric evaluation, the community remains hopeful for a fair and just resolution that takes into account the complexities surrounding young offenders..