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Police, DA To Decide Whether To Press Charges Against Home Invasion Suspects, Ages 9-10

By Jim Melwert

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Police have one child in custody, and they're looking for two others, after a violent home-invasion in the Juniata section of Philadelphia. Because the children are so young (about nine or 10 years old), the question of whether charges will be filed is still up in the air.

READ: Children Involved In Home Invasion

A woman in her 50s was sleeping in her home Monday afternoon along the 1200 block of Luzerne Street, when Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says, "These three kids were in the house, they began to hit her with sticks and ropes. When she got up, they threw a potted plant at her, they stole $20 from her purse and pretty much trashed the house."

The woman knew one of the boys from the block. He's in custody.

"The one child we have is 10-years-old, and there are two others that we'll probably get today, we estimate them to be nine or 10-years-old as well."

The victim was treated for cuts and bruises at a local hospital.

Commissioner Ramsey says, because of the young ages, police will sit down with the District Attorney to decide what's best for the children, an intervention program, or criminal charges.

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