3 indicted in brutal rape, killing of Baltimore teen
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced indictments against three men, including a 14-year-old charged as an adult, in the brutal sexual assault and slaying of a teenage girl whose body was discovered inside a home that had been set on fire.
Twenty-three-year-old Adonay Dixon, 20-year-old John Childs and 14-year-old Raeshawn Rivers have been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree rape, arson, kidnapping, conspiracy and other charges stemming from the death of 16-year-old Arnesha Bowers. Each faces life in prison.
Police say Bowers' body was discovered June 7 inside her grandmother's scorched home. CBS Baltimore reports that Rivers knew Bowers and allegedly orchestrated the plot. Officials say Dixon and Childs broke into the northeast Baltimore home, stole a computer and cash, killed the teen, and set the fire.
Bowers was reportedly found in the basement, restrained, sexually assaulted and strangled with an electric cord. Police say she died from asphyxiation.
Police say the killing was part of a gang initiation. All three are believed to have ties to the Bloods gang, reports CBS Baltimore.
"I can only imagine what the last moments of Arnesha's life were like," said Major Stanley Branford at a press conference earlier this month. "It had to have been pure hell."
Bowers' grandmother told the station her granddaughter was known for her upbeat personality.
"Arnesha had a beautiful smile and everyone would comment when they met her, 'You have a lovely smile' and she had a beautiful heart to match," the woman said.