BALTIMORE Md. — The 14-year-old Baltimore teen charged as an adult with the rape and murder of his 83-year-old neighbor was denied bail at an initial hearing Monday.
Police say Tyrone Harvin killed Dorothy Mae Neal through “blunt force trauma.” He also sexually assaulted Neal. Police linked Harvin to the murder through evidence found on the scene. Because Harvin is 14, he was automatically charged as an adult since he is accused of murder and rape.
Friday, police officials announced Harvin’s arrest and expressed genuine shock at both his young age and the vast age gap between him and his victim.
Harvin's mother defended her son Friday night, saying she thinks he is being wrongfully accused.
Neal’s neighbors called police to check on her after she was not seen for a few days. As an elderly resident, Neal relied on her neighbors for extra help around her apartment. With no signs of forced entry, Police believe Harvin may have been an occasional part of that larger support network. He may have been willingly let into the residence, or he may have even been helping Neal, prior to the attack.
Baltimore Police charging documents describe the physical evidence found at the scene. Investigators collected blood samples, three condom wrappers and three used condoms in Neal’s apartment.
Detectives advised a nurse at Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where Neal was being treated, to conduct a “safe kit,” on Neal, collecting physical evidence in case a sexual assault occurred. The administering nurse indicated “the likelihood of a sexual assault occurring,” the charging documents said.
Neal died the next day at the hospital. Her death was ruled a homicide.
By 1:30 p.m. Sept. 5, investigators learned that a finger print found on one of the discarded condom wrappers was that of Tyrone Harvin, the charging documents said. By 8:35 p.m. a warrant was executed at Harvin’s address, a block from Neal’s.
Police seized clothing and condoms during the warrant search. By 4 p.m. the next day, Harvin was interrogated at the Homicide Division of the police department.
According to charging documents, Harvin initially said he didn’t know Neal and had never been to her apartment. He later said he had known her and been to her residence, saying he helped her take out trash and then the two talked about church for a bit before Harvin left. He said he touched a lamp while there and may have had some of his property fall out of his pockets at that location.
Harvin did not admit to physically or sexually assaulting Neal. According to the charging documents, investigators are still waiting for of DNA testing of the materials found at the scene.
