Police vehicles parked outside of Oak Park Elementary on Feb. 22, 2021, following the stabbing of a young boy and girl.
The 15-year-old Lansdale boy charged with attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed and severely injured his siblings at the Oak Park Elementary playground in February will not be tried as an adult, as his case has been transferred to juvenile court.
According to Pottstown Mercury, the teen’s defense attorney, Michael Drossner, confirmed an agreement reached between himself and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office to move the case to the juvenile system “so that (the teen) could receive treatment, as opposed to being in the adult system.”
The teen — previously identified by the district attorney’s office as Nathan Serrano — faces a felony charge of attempted homicide, two charges of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor simple assault, two charges of reckless endangerment, a charge of possessing an instrument of crime and two charges of harassment related to the Feb. 22 attack. If he was convicted in adult court, he would face 10 to 20 years in prison.
A conviction in juvenile court allots him rehabilitation and treatment, according to Drossner. Serrano could then be held under court supervision until his 21st birthday while participating in treatment and rehabilitation programs.
Drossner sought transfer of the case to juvenile court back in April. According to the Mercury, Serrano was initially charged as an adult based on state laws that allow juveniles to face adult charges if accused of committing violent crimes with a weapon.
On Feb. 22 at around 5:20 p.m., Hatfield Township Police responded to the rear of Oak Park Elementary School at 500 Squirrel Lane in Hatfield Township, after the suspect's mother called 911 to report two of her children had been stabbed by her other son.
According to the Pottstown Mercury, the mother reported to 911, “My son stabbed my other son and my daughter. Please help me now … My son is schizophrenic. He stabbed my other two kids, and I can’t find my daughter and my son is full of blood sitting in the snow.”
Officers arrived at the school to find a 13-year-old boy suffering from a stab wound to his chest below his throat, stab wounds to both of his hands, and a large open laceration to his face near his mouth, and going in and out of consciousness, and a 9-year-old girl suffering from multiple stab wounds to her head, according to the police incident report.
According to the Pottstown Mercury, Serrano was observed on surveillance chasing his younger brother from the playground toward the school building, at which time the sibling fell over a snow embankment. Serrano stood over the boy and repeatedly stabbed him and slashed him in the face with the knife in his right hand, police alleged. Serrano then allegedly grabbed his sister from behind and allegedly attempted to cut her throat with the knife, police alleged.
Both children were transported by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, where the boy underwent surgery for 15 stab wounds throughout his torso, head and hands. The girl was treated for multiple lacerations to her scalp and released.
Hatfield Police recovered the knife used by the defendant, as well as video surveillance from the school that showed the entire attack, investigators said. In surveillance footage, following the attacks on his siblings, the defendant is seen running off toward Oak Park Road, police said.
Serrano was later located at a nearby residence, where he was taken into custody.
A GoFundMe started by Lori Ann Spallina and Liz Vazquez to support the victims of the stabbing is still active and has raised $68,157 of the $100,000 goal. Businesses and organizations that contributed to the fundraiser included Blueprint Brewing Company, AM Kulp Home & School, Penndale Staff and Home & School, Scent and Sip, Lori Dudley Wellness, Trinity Lutheran Church, North Penn Valley Girls Softball, Family Matters Counseling Services, and FMT Tattoo.
See also:
Teen Accused Of Stabbing Siblings Seeks Transfer Of Case To Juvenile Court
Community Efforts Underway To Provide Aid And Support To Family Of Stabbing Victims
Juvenile Stabbing Suspect Identified, Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2 Siblings
Teen Brother Accused Of Stabbing 2 Siblings At Playground At Oak Park Elementary Monday Night
2 Teens Stabbed While At Playground At Oak Park Elementary
