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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – The 11-year-old Fort Worth boy who pleaded guilty to beating his neighbor’s dog “Cookie” to death was sentenced to 18 months probation Monday.
Following the boy’s guilty plea last month, Judge James Teel ordered a series of evaluations, including psychological, neuropsychological and behavioral.
Witnesses, including a court-appointed psychologist and officers of Tarrant County Juvenile Services’ probation office and Family Partnership Program, addressed the findings.
Each witness testified to the recommendation that the boy receive significant counseling to ensure he remains at low risk to commit a similar crime.
The court-appointed psychologist attributed the offense, his first criminal activity, at least in part to “anger, resentment, and envy” over recent issues at school and among his siblings.
Prosecutor Riley Shaw, Juvenile Chief for the Criminal District Attorney’s office, stressed the aggressive nature of this act, and asked the court to set a sentence that would ensure the boy would receive the treatment and monitoring necessary to ensure the best interest of the community.
The judge spoke of the seriousness of this unique crime and the need for the boy to understand the consequences of his actions. He said his ruling was designed to provide a level of supervision which “proves to us all you will never again engage in violence.” He urged the boy to prove to the community he was worthy of trust.
In addition to 18 months probation, the sentence includes:
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy with his parents
• Successful completion of 1 of the 2 Family Partnership Programs (this is a partnership between Tarrant County Juvenile Services and
MHMR that includes intensive therapy – which of the two programs will be determined by evaluation)
• 30 hours of community service, which will be created on a case-specific basis, given the boy‘s age
• No unsupervised access to animals.
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