- Lataya Powell, 13, allegedly stabbed her mother and younger brother, 11, at their home in Wilkes-Barre on Friday
- The teen is charged as an adult with murder, two counts of aggravated assault and tampering with evidence
- The attack appeared to have occurred during an argument involving Powell’s cell phone
A 13-year-old girl has been charged with murder after stabbing her mother to death, according to Pennsylvania police.
Lataya Powell allegedly stabbed her mother, Temeeka Tucker, 44, and younger brother, 11, Friday at their home in the 20 block of South Sherman Street in Wilkes-Barre.
She is charged as an adult with murder, two counts of aggravated assault and tampering with evidence.
Local news footage from PA Home shows the moment when Powell is led away in handcuffs by police and is asked by a reporter if she has “any emotion” about what she has done.
Powell, wearing a red shirt and tartan trousers, responds with “regret, guilt and self-loathing” before being placed in the back of a police vehicle.
Lataya Powell, 13, allegedly stabbed her mother and younger brother, 11
The attack happened Friday at their home in the 20 block of South Sherman Street in Wilkes-Barre.
Powell allegedly told police that “I killed my mother and she will never forgive me if she is alive.”
Powell also told them she threw the gun on a neighbor’s doorstep, according to a police affidavit.
Security camera footage supported her claim, investigators said.
Once in custody, the affidavit states Powell told police, “I don’t have my phone because my mom took it before our fight,” and “I’m the reason my mom is dead.”
Police said they found the mother with multiple stab wounds to her neck and back and heavy blood coming from her head when they arrived on the scene.
She was later pronounced dead by the Luzerne County coroner.
The 11-year-old boy is expected to recover at the scene with visible stab wounds in the back.
In a statement released Saturday, investigators said they noticed that kitchen drawers and cabinets in the home were padlocked.
Investigators said they noticed that kitchen drawers and cabinets in the home were padlocked
Powell also told them she threw the gun on a neighbor’s doorstep, according to a police affidavit
One drawer where cutlery was kept had been broken into with the padlock found on the floor nearby.
Powell was also found with blood-stained hands, according to police.
Neighbors told News 16 the family was new to the neighborhood.
“I’m just thankful I wasn’t here because you never know what could have happened,” a neighbor told Fox 56.
‘But I’m looking forward that something good can come out of this and that she can get the help she needs. My prayers go out to the family and I am sorry this happened,” she added.