13-year-old Calvert County rapist accused of threatening to kill another child

CALVERT COUNTY, Md. (7News) — The 13-year-old rapist in Calvert County, who is now back behind bars, violated his probation by threatening to kill another child, according to the state’s attorney.

State’s Attorney Bob Harvey said the boy made the threat within days of being given probation following his conviction in the rape of two 6-year-old girls.

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“What I’m saying to the community is fairly apparent — that this young man was a danger to the community,” Harvey told 7News Maryland bureau chief Brad Bell on Tuesday.

The 13-year-old had been ordered to have no contact with other juveniles as a condition of his probation. Harvey said his office filed a motion to revoke his probation, which was granted. On Thursday, the boy was found in violation of his probation during a hearing.

He is now being held at Cheltenham Youth Detention Center pending sentencing later in August.

Harvey had been critical of the judge’s decision in July to give the boy probation for such a violent crime.

“(The 13-year-old) needed help. He still needs help, by the way. He didn’t go peacefully,” Harvey said. “He physically had to be restrained in court and escorted out of the courtroom because he refused to obey the court’s orders this time around.”

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Under Maryland law, juveniles as young as 13 generally cannot automatically be charged as adults, and most such cases are handled in the juvenile system. At sentencing, Harvey said his office argued for the boy to be placed in a secure facility to protect the community and ensure he receives treatment.

The state Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) recommended the boy be released to home detention with an ankle monitor, a position the judge ultimately adopted. Judges have final authority over juvenile dispositions but often weigh recommendations from DJS, which is tasked with balancing public safety and the rehabilitation of young offenders.

“It’s not just a simple matter of protecting the community,” Harvey said. “That’s important, of course, but it’s also a matter that this young man needs help and just has to provide it one way or the other.”