Man gets life in prison for killing his 10-year-old cousin at age 14

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (TCN) -- An 18-year-old has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the death of his 10-year-old cousin in 2022.

On April 24, 2022, Lily Peters was reported missing. Her body was found the following day in a wooded area. On April 26, Peters’ cousin Carson Peters-Berger was arrested in connection with her death. He was 14 years old at the time. Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell said Peters-Berger’s “intention was to rape and kill the victim from the get-go.”

Peters-Berger reportedly knocked Peters down, strangled her, and sexually assaulted her. When interviewed by police, Peters-Berger reportedly said he followed Peters down a walking trail, killed her, then went home to take a shower and wash his clothes, CBS reports. He told police he went back to the area to “hide her better” when he learned Peters was reported missing.

In December 2024, Peters-Berger pleaded not guilty to adult charges of first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault causing great bodily harm, and first-degree child sexual assault, WEAU reports. His trial had been scheduled to begin in November.

Peters-Berger’s attorneys tried to get the case moved to juvenile court, stating that Peters-Berger could get better treatment for his mental health disorders, but those appeals were denied, the Wausau Pilot and Review reports.  

Peters-Berger pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide on Aug. 26, according to WEAU. The Wausau Pilot and Review reports that records in the case were unsealed after Peters-Berger pleaded guilty. 

He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of extended supervision after 25 years. CBS News reports that as part of the plea agreement, the other charges were dismissed. In addition, Peters-Berger was ordered to pay $30,197.20 in restitution and was given four years’ credit for time served.

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