13-year-old allegedly stabbed mother to death after she took her phone

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (TCD) -- A 13-year-old girl has been charged as an adult after allegedly killing her mother last week.

According to a news release from the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, on March 29 shortly after 12:30 p.m., officers responded to 23 S. Sherman St., where they found an unresponsive 44-year-old woman.

The victim, identified by WBRE/WYOU-TV as Tameeka Tucker, had sustained stab wounds to her neck and back, and her head was bleeding heavily. The coroner’s office pronounced her dead at the scene.

Police also reportedly located an 11-year-old victim with apparent stab wounds to his back. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

According to WBRE/WYOU, officers identified the suspect as Tucker’s daughter, 13-year-old Lataya Powell, and officers apprehended her at the scene.

When officers first spoke with Powell, she reportedly apologized for killing her mother and allegedly admitted that she stabbed her during a dispute. She allegedly threw the weapon on a neighbor’s property.

According to a complaint reviewed by WBRE/WYOU, Powell told officials, "I killed my mom, and she’ll never forgive me if she is alive."

While in custody, Powell reportedly said, "I don’t have my phone because my mom took it before our fight."

She also allegedly stated, "I’m the reason my mom is dead," and "I don’t know how people can do stuff like this and not feel bad about it."

Powell faces charges of homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence.

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