Alyssa Bustamante, a 15-year-old of Missouri, was indicted today on a charge of first-degree murder of her neighbor, 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten.
Jon Beetem, the circuit judge in rural Cole County, ruled that Bustamante had been certified as an adult after he determined "the crime was vicious and the state's juvenile facilities are inadequate to deal with someone who would commit such a crime," per MissouriNet.
KRCG-13 in Missouri adds Bustamante allegedly strangled and stabbed her 9-year-old neighbor and cut her in the throat.
Bustamante told police that she killed Olten because she "wanted to know what it felt like."
More from the AP:
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri grand jury has indicted a 15-year-old on a charge of first-degree murder in the slaying of her 9-year-old neighbor.
Alyssa Bustamante is accused of killing Elizabeth Olten by strangling the girl, cutting her throat and stabbing her on Oct. 21.
Bustamante also is charged with armed criminal action for allegedly using a knife in the attack.
The indictment Wednesday came hours after a judge ruled Bustamante should stand trial as an adult. She is being held without bond in Cole County jail.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Bustamante could be sentenced to life in prison.