Fresno, CA
An 11-year-old Fresno girl was charged with felony assault for throwing a rock at an 8-year-old boy who pelted her with a water balloon.
Several rocks and water balloons hit her, she said, before she picked up a rock and threw it at Vang. Initially, officers said the "jagged" rock weighed 5 pounds -- then later cut that weight in half.
After responding to a 911 call for an ambulance on April 29, police officers arrived at the small house where Maribel had been playing with her younger brother and some of his friends. Vang held a towel to his bloody forehead.
Police officers arrested and handcuffed Cuevas and took her to juvenile hall, where she was charged with felony assault. She waited five days before a court hearing. A judge released her but forced her to wear an electronic ankle bracelet. The bracelet was removed 30 days later.
Instead of going through with the criminal case, the court ordered mediation between the famillies to solve the issues. It was understood that should be mediation be successful that Cuevas would not be convicted of an adult felony. The mediation was succesful and Cuevas did not have to plead guilty, which the girl and her family objected to, as part of the agreement reached by prosecutors and her defense lawyer. Charges will be dismissed if the mediation is successful, she attends school and doesn't use force or violence except in self-defense, lawyers said.
