A 13-year-old boy from Lethbridge, Alberta, who attempted to kill his seven-year-old brother by stabbing him has been sentenced to three years, the maximum term permitted by the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The boy will undergo an IRCS (intensive rehabilitative custody and supervision) program, tailored for youth who commit violent acts and have serious mental health conditions.
The initial two years of the sentence will entail secure custody, providing access to treatment and programs for newly identified mental health issues. In the third year, the boy will be under community supervision with specific conditions. The brothers’ identities are shielded by a publication ban mandated under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
In a court hearing, the 12-year-old boy, now 13, pleaded guilty to the attempt on his brother’s life in August 2025. He confessed to stabbing his sibling multiple times during their father’s absence on an errand, claiming he was driven by uncontrollable rage. The younger brother sustained severe injuries, including life-threatening wounds to his brain, heart, and chest.
The boy reported experiencing urges he could not manage, possibly linked to auditory hallucinations. Investigation revealed he had researched murder on YouTube before the incident. The court was informed of recent undisclosed diagnoses that had not been addressed, as per the forensic psychiatrist’s evaluation.
The prosecutor mentioned the boy’s remorse for his actions. A progress update on the boy’s treatment will be submitted to the court after a year by the IRCS team.