In a turn of events in Broward County, Sofia Koval, a 14-year-old Ukrainian girl, has been charged as an adult with the grave crime of manslaughter. Local 10 News reports that Koval, accused of the fatal beating of her grandmother, Yevheniia Koval, 79, was transferred to Broward County Main Jail yesterday. This decision follows the tragic incident that occurred inside a Lauderdale Lakes condo on May 23.
The authorities were called to the scene where they discovered Yevheniia with multiple injuries. The Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies have since disclosed that the victim was found with numerous bruises and that her cause of death was determined to be homicide. It is said that Koval had been entrusted to her grandmother's care the evening of the incident. As per her defense, Koval's father pointed out his daughter's behavioral problems stemming from previous trauma, according to WSVN. He believes these problems might have been aggravated by the war back in Ukraine.
The arrest affidavit shed further light on the case, revealing that the autopsy showed signs of serious head trauma and internal bleeding. WSVN's report included that Koval reportedly confessed to striking her grandmother multiple times with a belt and supposedly claimed she was helping her die. The police also found a walker and a belt at the scene, both believed to have been used during the attack.
Previously, Koval was Baker Acted — indicating she was temporarily held in a mental health facility where she purportedly admitted to the act. Following these events, she was brought before a magistrate who found probable cause to charge her with manslaughter. "She's been going through a lot because she wants her mom, who is in the UK. She can’t get over here," a family friend identified as Ms. Johnson told Local 10 News, indicating the potential depth of emotional turmoil engulfing the girl. Koval is expected to face the court without the possibility of bond and could potentially be looking at a maximum sentence of 15 years if convicted.
