Teen Allegedly Stabs And Kills Teacher; 3-Year-Old Found Inside House With Dead Body

A 14-year-old is facing charges for the murder of a 44-year-old teacher who was stabbed to death inside her Kansas apartment.

The unidentified accused faces a mandatory hearing to determine whether the teenager will be tried as an adult, officers said.

Kansas City police found the body of the teacher, Jamie Craig, during a welfare check on April 29. Officers arrived at the front door of Craig's Kansas City apartment and were met by a 3-year-old boy, who said his mother had a "boo boo," according to the Kansas City Star.

Officers made their way inside the apartment and found Craig with stab wounds. The Wyandotte High School teacher was pronounced dead at the scene.

As an investigation into her death began, officers learned from neighbors that a visitor had recently left Craig's apartment. They also said the visitor had thrown something in the trash.

Investigators searched the apartment's dumpster and found a gray backpack and a bloodied white towel in the trash.

A petition filed Friday accused the 14-year-old of allegedly committing second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

"The charge of murder in the second degree requires a mandatory certification hearing," a spokesperson for the Jackson County District Court told KMBC. "Hearings will be open to the general public, unless otherwise closed by the judge. A hearing date is not yet available."

The circumstances that led to the stabbing of the teacher remain unclear. It was also not known when the teenager would make another court appearance.

The slain teacher was an anti-violence advocate and was a sponsor for the Enough is Enough program, which rallied students and community members to work toward ending the cycle of violence.

"My teacher, Ms. Craig, she was really passionate about us having a space where we could hold our peer mediations," said Jada Harris, a student. "I wish Ms. Craig could be here to share with us. We can make this room in her honor. It would be something she loved. This could help students a lot. They can come and solve their problems."