The boy now faces adult felony charges of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and a sentence-enhancing charge of committing a crime of violence. He still faces juvenile charges in three other cases. In short, no. Prosecutors recently received new information that the boy may not be as amenable to treatment as previously thought, and therefore warrants the stiffer charges. It should be emphasized that he has not been accused of committing new crimes or engaging in further inappropriate sexual behavior.
Prosecutors also say no new victims have turned up.
Although still concerned about this nation's distressing propensity to try juveniles as adults, we agree with the DA's decision. If the boy is more intransigent than previously believed, then he may present future danger to children and he should receive supervision for much longer than two years. If the boy is found guilty as an adult, he would face a minimum sentence of ten years in prison, and a maximum of life. But victims' parents have made clear that they are not seeking vengeance and do not want to see him shipped off to torment at the hands of other prisoners, which would help neither him nor society. We share that sentiment.