CALDWELL -- A 15-year-old Nampa boy who brutally attacked a five-year-old girl nearly three years ago has been sentenced to 20 years in prison as an adult.
Trevor Reizenstein was just 12 years old when police say he attacked the girl in an alley on Jan. 24, 2007. The victim was found wearing only a T-shirt and was not breathing.
Reizenstein pleaded guilty in August to one count of attempted murder and one count of battery with intent to commit rape.
In a deal between the prosecution and defense, a judge agreed to sending the teen to a juvenile facility for treatment. When he is 21 years old, Reizenstein will be evaluated by the courts to determine if he can be released on probation or serve the remainder of his prison sentence.
Judge Thomas Ryan imposed a sentence of 10 years fixed, followed by five years indeterminate for the crime of attempted murder. And he imposed 10 years fixed, followed by 10 years indeterminate for the crime of battery. The sentences will run concurrent.
"By anyone's measure the crimes that Trevor Reizenstein committed are heinous," said Ryan.
The crime happened in an alley behind the victim's home. Reizenstein and the victim's families were friends and the children had grown up together.
One afternoon Reizenstein lured the girl outside telling her she needed to save a Care Bear. Trusting her older brother's friend, she went outside. That's when Reizenstein stuffed a sock in the child's mouth and carried her to some nearby bushes.
She was sexually attacked and left to die.
Now 15 years old and having undergone extensive counseling, Reizenstein apologized in court.
"I really don't know what to say sir but I really am sorry for what I did to your daughter and I really tried, I really tried to do the counseling and stuff and I learned a lot, but everybody makes mistakes and I'll probably make a mistake, but I really hope I will not again," said Reizenstein.
"He was just 12 years old and you've got to remember, a meth baby and I think just being in juvenile corrections has really helped him with the counseling that he has received to understand his behavior," said defense attorney Scott Fouser.
Counselors evaluations concluded that Reizenstein does pose a risk of re-offending again. He will be placed in a treatment facility, possibly outside of Idaho.
Reizenstein had an extensive criminal history before this brutal attack -- including arson, injury to property and theft.
He was first sentenced to juvenile detention when he was just seven years old, and probation officers say he lacked parental structure and supervision.
The victim was not in court today but her mother was there to speak on her behalf.
She said after the attack that her daughter was scared of boys and would not talk, and never wanted to be left alone.
She is getting better and was just named student of the month at her elementary school -- an award that required helping others.
