A shocking case in Florida made headlines after 12-year-old Christian Fernandez was charged with killing his 2-year-old half-brother.
According to investigators, Fernandez had previously broken the toddler’s leg months earlier. Then, when left alone to supervise him, he shoved the child into a bookshelf. The boy suffered a fatal head injury and later died.
The case drew national attention not only because of the tragedy, but also because prosecutors initially sought to try Fernandez as an adult — despite his young age. The possibility of a life sentence for a 12-year-old sparked fierce debate about juvenile justice in the United States.
Ultimately, Fernandez avoided life in prison by accepting a plea deal. He was sent to a juvenile facility until the age of 19, with the understanding that he would also receive treatment and counseling.
The case remains one of the most widely discussed examples of how the justice system handles children who commit violent crimes, raising questions about accountability, rehabilitation, and whether minors should ever face adult-level punishment.
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