N.C. Woman, 22, Accused of Fatally Stabbing Her 10-Year-Old Sister: 'This Is Such a Sad Incident'

Authorities believe the 10-year-old victim was moved to the backyard after being stabbed inside her house

A 22-year-old North Carolina woman, Kaneijah Zyir Bradley, was charged with murder after her 10-year-old sister was stabbed to death, per a Halifax County North Carolina Sheriff's Office press release.

On Monday around 10:30 p.m., Halifax County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded a report of a missing 10-year-old child on the 2000 block of Beaverdam Road.

Upon arriving, deputies were informed that the girl's mother found her missing child dead in the backyard. Investigators on the scene believe that the 10-year-old girl was transported outside after being stabbed inside the house.

“Further investigation revealed that the child had been stabbed multiple times and was in fact deceased,” read the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office news release. “The motive of the incident is unclear at this time and remains under investigation.”

Bradley, the deceased’s older sister, was arrested and charged with murder. She is currently in the Halifax County Detention Center with no bond and has a court date set for Jan. 25.

Bradley was arrested twice in 2023, reports WRAL. She was charged with assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury and larceny of a motor vehicle in April. In August, she was arrested for felony assault with a deadly weapon against a government official and a misdemeanor charge of resisting a public officer. Bradley's court date for the April charges is set for Jan. 29, and the court date for her August charges is set for Feb. 24, per WITN.

“This is such a sad incident," said Sheriff Tyree Davis in the news release. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."

"It's tragic whenever a life is cut short, especially a child," Halifax County Sheriff's Office Capt. Scott Hall told ABC11. "So it's heart-wrenching. When deputies pull on scene and find an incident like this." Hall continued, "It's hard on everyone involved, including the family and all first responders."

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A nearby neighbor, Bernard Day, shared with WRAL that the community has “never heard of anything like this in our neighborhood.” Day — who didn’t know the victim or suspect — continued, "They are in our prayers.”

"We are aching for them. Just let God work it out,” said Day. “This is the only thing we can do at this time."

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Lt. R. Somogyi with the Halifax County Sheriff's Office. You can reach the sheriff's office at (252) 583-8201.

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A spokesperson for Halifax County N.C. Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Friday.

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