11-year-old Clayton Dietz was recently seen making his first court appearance in Pennsylvania after being charged with criminal homicide during the early morning hours.
He killed his adoptive father, Douglas Dietz, on January 13 in the family's residence in Duncannon, Perry County, shortly after the child's birthday celebration.
As per prosecutors, the child was searching for his Nintendo Switch that his father had taken away from him. During the search, he came across a key to a safe that held the family's gun. He then went on to remove the revolver, load it, and shoot his adoptive dad while he was in his sleep.
Clayton was rushed into Perry County court in handcuffs and shackles, escorted by probation officers. He waived his preliminary hearing, allowing this case to advance directly into the next phase of prosecution. Bail was denied, and he is in custody at the Perry County Prison.
Under the law in Pennsylvania, kids as young as 10 could be charged as adults in homicide cases, so prosecutors have filed charges in adult court.