Formal Charges Filed Against Boy In Death Of Parents

BURLINGTON, Colo. (CBS4)- Formal charges have been filed against a 12-year-old boy accused of murdering his parents and leaving his little brother and sister with knife wounds.

Charges were filed Friday in juvenile court in Kit Carson County. The juvenile petition declaring the boy a delinquent is sealed, however, it's believed to include two counts for the murders of his parents, Marilyn and Charles Long, attempted murder of his brother Ethan, 9, and sister Sarah, 5, and two counts of first degree assault.

The charges were filed by District Attorney Robert Watson.

"The only thing we can do at this point is to say we are confident about what happened and how it happened. The why is going to take some time," said Watson.

The case could be moved to an adult court later. The difference could mean life in prison without parole or treatment at a juvenile facility until he's 21.

The 12-year-old was home schooled and active in his church just one block from his home.

The Bank of Burlington has set up a fund established in the names of Marilyn and Charles Long to benefit the remaining members of the family.

Marilyn and Charles Long Family Fund
Bank of Burlington
PO BOX 427
Burlington, CO 80807

Those touched by the Long family have dropped off flowers and balloons outside their home, which has formed into a makeshift memorial.

"He had that one personality that you don't want to let go and that is why this is such a big tragedy because nobody wants to see anybody go like that," said family friend Samantha Hamel.

Police said the Long parents, along with their children ages 12, 9 and 7, lived in the home. They also had other children who had grown and moved out of the family's home.

The investigation is a joint effort involving the Burlington Police Department, the Kit Carson County Sheriff, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the 13th Judicial District Attorney.

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