A Florida teenager who slayed her own grandmother said she did it because she "wants her mom" to come home, according to a family friend.
14-year-old Ukrainian girl Sofia Koval is accused of beating her grandmother, Yevheniia Koval, 79, to death in Lauderdale Lakes.
Sofia will be charged as an adult for the charge of manslaughter, according to court records obtained by Local 10 News on Wednesday.
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.
The fatal beating occurred on May 23 inside the family's condo. Sofia had been left in the care of her grandmother that evening.
The old woman had been found with excessive bruising and a later autopsy determined the victim's cause of death was homicide.
Sofia's father—and Yevheniia's son—said his mother was the sweetest woman who never hesitated to help others.
A family friend referred to as Ms. Johnson told the news outlet 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," revealed Johnson.
While the maximum penalty for the charge could be up to 15 years in prison, Sofia Koval's age may allow for a sentence under the juvenile justice system.
Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor and senior prosecutors ruled the case should be transferred to adult court, with manslaughter as 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.
"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."
The teen was transferred to the North Broward Bureau on Tuesday.
