LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – Sofia Koval, the 14-year-old Ukrainian girl accused of beating her grandmother, Yevheniia Koval, 79, to death in Lauderdale Lakes, is being charged as an adult, according to court records obtained by Local 10 News on Wednesday.
The teenager stands accused of manslaughter and was transferred to the North Broward Bureau on Tuesday.
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During a Wednesday morning court appearance, a judge found probable cause for the charge and ordered Sofia Koval to be held without bond, with both the defense and prosecution in agreement.
According to Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies, the fatal beating happened on May 23 inside a condo along the 4100 block of Northwest 41st Street.
Sofia Koval was allegedly left home with her grandmother. That night, deputies say, Yevheniia Koval was found with multiple bruises on her body. She died from her injuries.
An autopsy determined the victim’s cause of death was homicide. Sofia Koval’s father, who is also the son of the victim, said his mother was a sweet woman who never hesitated to help others.
A family friend, who identified herself as Ms. Johnson, told Local 10 News back in May that the incident was “something out of character” for the teen.
“She’s been going through a lot because she wants her mom, who is in the UK. She can’t get over here,” said Johnson.
Authorities said there were no warning signs before the fatal beating.
While the maximum penalty for the charge could be up to 15 years in prison, Sofia Koval’s age might allow for a sentence under the juvenile justice system, according to a news release from the Broward State Attorney’s Office.
Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor and senior prosecutors decided the case should be transferred to adult court, with manslaughter being the appropriate charge.
“Due to the severity of the crime and after reviewing the defense’s presentations, we believe the case should proceed in adult court,” Pryor said in the news release. “We are exploring all options and working closely with the Broward Public Defender’s Office to find a resolution that holds her accountable while considering her age and the circumstances of the case.”