12-Year-Old-Boy Charged With Fatally Stabbing 8-Year-Old Sister Leila Fowler, Due In Court Wednesday

A 12-year-old boy has been charged with second degree murder in the death of his 8-year-old sister Leila Fowler.

On April 27 Leila Fowler was stabbed to death by what appeared to be a stranger. Her 12-year-old brother told the police a "long haired" intruder had come into the house but the 12-year-old also said he was able to scare the man off.

The police spent 2-weeks searching for the intruder before realizing the adult accused of killing the 8-year-old may not exist.

The 12-year-old boy, now charged with second-degree murder called his father who was not at home after allegedly finding his sister stabbed in her room. The children's step-mother, who was also out then called the police. The boy told his parents about the man who had just left their house but did not mention his little sister was injured.

The 911 call made by the mother has been released. In it Leila Fowler's mother has no idea her daughter was hurt. She said both of her children were frightened and added "My daughter is freaking out right now."

The CBS anchor reporting on the 911 call goes on to say that the information about what was going on in the house was becoming confused. The mother believed both of her children were ok and that another family member had been called and already arrived at the house to care for the children.

Unfortunately this turned out not to be the case as Leila Fowler was found stabbed to death in her home. Now her big brother has been charged with that crime.

If the 12-year-old boy charged with second-degree murder is convicted, according to the California penal code he could face up to 15-years in prison.

The Fowler family is standing by their son and hired the 12-year-old legal representation. Mark Reichel and Steve Plesser are representing the 12-year-old. The attorneys have met with their client at a detention facility and told ABC,

"He's actually doing really well right now," Plesser said. "As well as can be expected in these really difficult times."

Reichel told the Associated Press that Leila's big brother is just a scarred kid and that a child telling a lie does not make him a killer.

"He's 12. The odds are just as good that he lied and gives a macho story that he chased away the attacker. Someone kills your sister? I'm not sure he didn't stay in the bathroom and cry," Reichel told AP.

The Fowler family was scheduled to give an official statement to the press on Tuesday but decided to cancel it. Leila Fowler's father did give a brief statement to AP saying they would stand behind their son until they see evidence explaining the 12-year-old did kill his sister, "We're an honest family," Fowler said to AP.

The 12-year-old boy charged with second degree murder will be back in court some time on Wednesday.

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