14-year-old accused of fatally beating her grandmother charged as adult

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. (TCN) -- Prosecutors announced this week that an underage suspect will be charged as an adult after allegedly fatally beating her grandmother several months ago.

On May 23, at approximately 12:26 a.m., the Broward County Sheriff's Office and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to a home after a man said he went to visit a friend and left his mother, 79-year-old Yevheniia Koval, with his 14-year-old daughter, identified by the Broward County State Attorney's Office as Sofia Koval. When the man returned, he reportedly discovered his mother unresponsive on the floor with bruises on her body.

Paramedics transported Yevheniia Koval to a local hospital, and she was pronounced deceased. The Broward County Medical Examiner's Office later ruled her death a homicide.

Sofia Koval was reportedly taken into custody on May 24 and initially faced one count of second-degree murder. In an Oct. 2 news release, the state attorney's office announced that a judge found probable cause for Sofia Koval to be charged as an adult with manslaughter. She was transferred to the Broward County Jail, where she remains held without bond.

If convicted, Sofia Koval faces up to 15 years in prison. However, due to her age, she may face a sentence under the juvenile justice system.

A family friend told WPLG-TV that Sofia Koval has "been going through a lot because she wants her mom, who is in the U.K. She can’t get over here."

State Attorney Harold Pryor said, "Because of the heinous nature of the crime and after considering everything presented by the defense so far, I believe it is appropriate that this case should be handled in adult court. We are considering all options and working closely with her attorneys at the Broward Public Defender’s Office to come up with an appropriate resolution that holds her accountable but also factors in her age and the circumstances of this offense."

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