JEFFERSON CITY — A judge has ordered a 15-year-old girl to stand trial as an adult for the slaying of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten, whose disappearance last month touched off a two-day search.
Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled Wednesday that the crime was serious and vicious and the state had no adequate facilities or services to treat the teenage suspect if she were to remain in the juvenile court system.
The girl was identified in court by her juvenile defense attorney only as Alyssa. She was immediately arrested on an adult charge of first-degree murder following the judge's ruling.