PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A suspect has been charged after police say an 11-year-old girl was stabbed at her Rockford area home around 3 a.m. Saturday morning.
Kent County deputies said they were called to the 8000 block of Ella Terrace Court just southeast of Rockford for a report of a man in the home. The girl was stabbed multiple times by the man. The girl was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Authorities said the homeowner held the suspect at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived.
Police arrested the 24-year-old suspect, also from Plainfield Township and he is being questioned. As of Saturday, the Kent County Sheriff's Office believed it to be a random attack.
"At this point, it appears to be initially random," said KCSO Undersheriff Bryan Muir. "And again, that lengthy part of the investigation will go back more into the details behind how this happened and why it happened at this residence. But at this point, we don't have any connection to lead the subject that was responsible for the assault to this residence."
On Monday, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced charges against a suspect in the case.
Ricardo Perez Castillo, Becker's office said, was charged with the following:
- One count of assault with intent to murder, a felony with a maximum possible penalty of life
- One count of home invasion 1st degree a felony with a maximum possible penalty of 20 years and/or $5,000
- One count of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct involving penetration a felony with a maximum possible penalty of 10 years
- One count of carry a weapon with unlawful intent, a felony punishable by a maximum penalty of 5 years or $2,500.
According to Becker's office, Castillo also faces one count of illegal entry for a separate incident on Saturday in Rockford. That misdemeanor charge would be punishable by 90 days and/or $500 if Castillo were convicted.
Following the incident, Muir urged people in the region to take all precautions to protect themselves and their homes.
"Even though you live in a safe community here in West Michigan, you know, get to a nightly routine," Muir said. "Lock your doors, lock your cars, just double check windows, make sure that your home is as safe as possible. This was a completely random act from what we believe right now, and these things don't happen very often, but they can. So, we just ask for you to do everything you can on your part to keep yourself safe."
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