Child, 14, dead in Springfield; brother, 16, charged

SPRINGFIELD — UPDATE @ 2:55 p.m.: The 14-year-old Springfield boy killed was a Springfield High School student, as is his 16-year old brother who's been arrested in connection with his death.

Harley Starling was found dead by his grandmother Monday morning. The boy’s 16-year-old brother, Nicholas Starling, has been charged with a delinquency count of murder and tampering with evidence in connection with Harley’s death.

The Springfield City School District issued the following statement:

“The Springfield City School District was deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of our student’s yesterday morning at his home. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Grief counselors began actively supporting students and staff on Monday and will be available as long as necessary. Anyone needing assistance or grief support should contact the Springfield City School District’s Student Services Department at 937-505-2855.”

UPDATE @ 1:15 p.m.: A 14-year-old Springfield boy who was killed was found by his grandmother dead in his bed, according to a Springfield Police Division report.

Johna Pulliam told investigators that the last time she saw her grandson Harley Starling he was playing with costume blood and watching a movie about 9 p.m. Sunday, the report says, then he went to his room.

When Pulliam got up at 5:30 a.m. Monday, she went to Harley’s room to tell him to take a shower before school and found him.

The boy was “cold to the touch,” the police report says, and “was clearly dead and had been for several hours.”

The boy’s 16-year-old brother, Nicholas Starling, has been charged with a delinquency count of murder and tampering with evidence in connection with Harley’s death.

He will appear in Clark County Juvenile Court this afternoon for a detention hearing.

No decision has been made as to whether the teen’s case could be moved to adult court, prosecutors said. The Clark County Prosecutor’s Office will let police finish their initial investigation before any decisions are made, Assistant Prosecutor Dan Driscoll said.

UPDATE @ 10:54 a.m.: A 14-year-old Springfield boy is dead and his 16-year-old brother is charged in connection with his death and tampering with evidence, according to Springfield Police Capt. Mike Hill.

The teen is charged as a juvenile.

The victim, 14-year-old Harley Starling, was found dead Monday morning, in the home he shared with his brother. said Hill.

Police will not release details of the investigation regarding the nature of the cause of death or the motive for the killing. Hill did say “it’s a definite shame, it’s tragic.”

After investigation into the death throughout the day Monday, detectives moved forward with delinquency charges against the older brother whom we are not identifying at this time.

That teen is currently booked in the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center.

INITIAL REPORT:

Springfield police said detectives are investigating a suspicious death that occurred early Monday morning.

Dispatchers confirm officers were requested to a house in 2200 block of Superior Avenue around 5:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 31.

Dispatchers said the death is considered suspicious, but additional details were not yet available.

We’re following up with investigators and will update this page when new details become available.

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