By C1 Staff
KONXVILLE, Tenn. — The boy accused of shooting a girl with his father’s shotgun over a puppy is now Knox County jail’s youngest inmate.
The boy, whose name has not been released, is charged with the murder of MaKayla Dyer, 8, reports WBIR. He allegedly shot her from inside his house after she refused to show him her puppy.
The boy is being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond at the Knox County Juvenile Detention Center.
“We’ve had 8- or 9-year-olds for different things, armed robberies and that kind of stuff. He was the first one I’ve had for murder under 12,” Superintendent Richard Bean said.
Bean said that he received a phone call in the middle of the night asking if he had room for the boy at his facility. The boy’s attorney also asked if the boy could be accommodated with a teddy bear inside his cell.
“I’ve been here all these years and we don’t allow nothing in these rooms but a Bible and books on the weekend,” he said. “So I’m going to break all my rules and give the kid a teddy bear.”
He also said the child is in the general population and treated like any other. The juveniles attend six hours of school a day, in addition to gym, and arts and crafts.
The boy’s public defender said he’s due in court later this month.