Elderly Niles woman beaten to death late today; teen in custody

NILES

A woman in her 90s was beaten to death at a home on Cherry Avenue here late today, and a 15-year-old Niles boy who his sister said was just released from the Trumbull Juvenile Justice Center today is being held by police.

The teen suspect was transported to the hospital to be"checked," but Niles police Capt. Ken Criswell said he did not know if the boy was injured.

The suspect’s sister, Kaela LaRosa , 18, told reporters at the scene she can’t believe her brother could do anything like this. He was in the JJC for what she described as “behavioral issues.” Neither she, nor Criswell could provide any specifics.

A neighbor who did not want to be identified said he believes the suspect cut grass for the victim.

Asked about a motive, Criswell said a side door was broken into, but he couldn’t say if a robbery occurred.

Apparently the victim’s daughter came to the home around 5:30 p.m. to check on her mother. Criswell believes the crime occurred around 5.

When the daughter went into the house, which is near the corner of Clinton Street, she saw blood, but did not see her mother’s body. She ran from the house, and found an ambulance en route to another call, and flagged it down.

The ambulance stopped, entered the home, and discovered the body, Criswell said.

For more on the story, read Wednesday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.