Juvenile crime arrests have increased by 146% compared to last year, according to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office. In 2023, there were 66 arrests for serious crimes involving minors in Baltimore City. So far in 2024, there have been 163 arrests.
The Baltimore County judge overseeing that case called Gittens' actions a “reign of terror” committed with “utter depravity.”
Bates said it can take days or even weeks until a child is arrested for another crime before his office and the court are notified that there's an ankle monitor violation.
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates released a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying: "Today's sentencing should send a clear message to every parent or guardian in our city: It is possible to be held accountable for your child's actions and you cannot turn a blind eye to, or be complicit in, criminal activity without facing consequences. As protectors of our youth, we must exemplify positive behavior and guide them during times of crisis. My office will not tolerate parents or guardians who act as instigators, agitators, or facilitators of violence. As a city, let's commit to a safer Baltimore for our residents, especially our children."
"It is my hope that the victims in this case feel safer knowing Jared Ford will never be free to conduct himself among law-abiding residents ever again," said Bates.
Prosecutors said Cornell Moore and Keith Russell were involved in a murder-for-hire enterprise with a gang operating in Baltimore City and elsewhere in Maryland.
These counts include participation in a criminal gang, first-degree murder, use of a firearm to commission a crime of violence, felony possession of a firearm, attempted first degree murder and more.
Police said the teen's parents joined in on the assault, where he pistol whipped an unidentified victim. The teen then fled from the assault and ran into another 15-year-old. The two teens got into an argument before pulling out handguns, and shooting at each other, according to police.
Per the Maryland Judiciary website, Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill sentenced Deon Hudson to 30 years, suspending all but 15 years, for attempted second-degree murder, a consecutive sentence of 20 years, suspending all but five years without the possibility of parole, for firearm use in a felony violent crime. Hudson will also serve concurrent sentences of three years for having a handgun on his person and one year for firing a gun within Baltimore City. Upon release, he will be required to serve five years of supervised probation.
