Heartbroken Father Speaks Out on Tragic Loss
A tragic incident in Michigan has left a family devastated after a 13-year-old girl allegedly stabbed her 7-year-old sister to death over an argument. Jason Lilburn, the grieving father, is opening up about the heartbreaking loss of his daughter, Jessie Jane Lilburn.
In an interview with WXYZ, Lilburn remembered Jessie as a vibrant and joyful child who loved outdoor activities and playing with family. “Little JJ, Jessie Jane. She was just a ray of sunshine, always wanted to be outside, always riding her bike,” Lilburn told the news outlet.
The Incident and Investigation
On September 28, the 7-year-old victim was pronounced dead at a local hospital after police responded to reports of a stabbing at their home in Taylor, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The incident occurred around 1 p.m.
According to FOX 2 Detroit, the girls’ parents had left their 13-year-old daughter to babysit her younger sister earlier that day, at approximately 11:15 a.m.
Argument Over a Note Leads to Tragedy
Detective Zachary DiGiacomo revealed that the stabbing occurred after an argument regarding a note left in the bathroom by the 7-year-old, asking people to flush the toilet. The 13-year-old reportedly took the note, and her younger sister reacted by knocking over the kitchen trash can, spilling trash everywhere in an attempt to retrieve the note.
The altercation escalated when the older sister retreated to her room but returned 30 minutes later with a butcher-style knife, allegedly stabbing her younger sister in the bathroom. According to the detective, the 13-year-old went back to grab a larger knife, stabbing her sister multiple times.
In total, the victim suffered over 10 stab wounds, as per the detective’s statement.
A Family in Shock
Lilburn expressed shock at the incident, describing the sisters as having “normal sibling arguments” without any history of violence. “It really pulls at my heart that [Jessie’s] not with us anymore and that there’s so much love for her,” Lilburn said in reference to the memorial set up outside their home in honor of Jessie.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
After the fatal stabbing, the 13-year-old reportedly called 911. She is now facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, and first-degree child abuse, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
Initially charged as a juvenile, Prosecutor Kym Worthy later designated the case for adult charges due to new evidence that surfaced. While the teen’s name has not been released due to her age, the adult designation allows for more severe sentencing options if she is convicted.
Sentencing Possibilities
Although being charged with an adult designation does not automatically equate to being tried as an adult, it provides the judge with various sentencing options. These include sentencing the teen as a juvenile, as an adult, or a combination of both. If sentenced as a minor and she does not demonstrate improvement, the judge retains the authority to impose an adult sentence
