A 15-year-old boy arrested in connection to the death of a 10-year-old girl made his first appearance in Adams County court on Monday.
The juvenile, who has not been identified, appeared at a detention hearing where he was ordered to continue to be held without bond, said Sue Lindsay, an Adams County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman.
The teen is under investigation of murder in the death of 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell, who went missing last week in Thornton after last being last seen with her 15-year-old stepbrother.
Authorities have not yet officially said whether the suspect is the same boy who was last seen with her. The teen suspect appeared in court Monday as a juvenile, and the hearing was closed.
Courtesy Thornton Police Department
Kiaya Campbell
Steve Nehf,The Denver Post
Police and investigators from Thornton and Adams County comb the Riverdale Park area where a young girl's body was found Friday, June 9, 2017. Ten-year-old Kiaya Campbell went missing during a rainstorm Wednesday night and searches took place all day Thursday before the body was discovered in the early evening.
Steve Nehf,The Denver Post
Police and investigators from Thornton and Adams County comb the Riverdale Park area where a young girl's body was found Friday, June 9, 2017. Ten-year-old Kiaya Campbell went missing during a rainstorm Wednesday night and searches took place all day Thursday before the body was discovered in the early evening.
Steve Nehf,The Denver Post
Police and investigators from Thornton and Adams County comb the Riverdale Park area where a young girl's body was found Friday, June 9, 2017. Ten-year-old Kiaya Campbell went missing during a rainstorm Wednesday night and searches took place all day Thursday before the body was discovered in the early evening.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A Thornton police cruiser follows a member of the Jefferson County K-9 unit as they look for signs of missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
An FBI agent questions vehicles entering the neighborhood of missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Thornton police officers keep guard over the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Alayah Maestas, 9 and her little sister Aleis, 7, joined in with hundreds of people at Skyview Elementary school to help in the search for missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Hundreds of people turned out at Skyview Elementary school to help in the search for missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Adams County sheriff deputies gather in the neighborhood of missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Campbell had been missing since late last night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Thornton police officers and FBI agents question vehicles entering the neighborhood of missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Brooklyn Mitchell, 7 and her brother Ethan, 9 joined in with hundreds of people at Skyview Elementary school to help in the search for missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Thornton police officers keep guard over the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Two neighbors, who may have witnessed the body, are visibly shaken at the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
A Gofundme page, “Kiaya Campbell Memorial,” has raised more than $14,500 as of 4 p.m. Monday.
“This beautiful soul was stolen from us. We appreciate everything everyone has done in this situation. Now we just appreciate anything anyone can do to help out [sic] her to rest,” the page said. “I can’t thank everyone personally one on one and I am sorry for that. I do want to say that we are so thankful that so many of you are helping our baby rest. As her memorial comes we will inform everyone about it.”
The page was created on June 9 by Chantel Campbell. It has been shared 3,900 times on Facebook and 350 people have donated.
“Thinking of you, Mama, and hoping for peace to come to you in time,” Char Hakes, who donated $25, said on the page. “So very, very sorry for the loss of your precious angel, Kiaya.”
Campbell’s body was found late Thursday afternoon in a greenbelt area in Thornton, about about 1½ miles from where she disappeared Wednesday night.
The teenage suspect was arrested Saturday just before midnight, Thornton police said.
The boy who was with Campbell Wednesday night told police investigators that the two had been walking together, back to a home where Campbell’s father lived, when they became separated in a rain storm. Some neighbors have disputed that there was a rainstorm in the area that night.
The teen suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday where formal filing of charges are expected. The suspect was still being held as a juvenile. Prosecutors did not say whether they’ll pursue charges against him as an adult.
