Police said Riley Dearmas, 13, died after an altercation between two groups on Grow Lane.
HOUSTON, Texas — A 10-year-old boy has been charged with murder after the fatal stabbing of 13-year-old Riley Dearmas during a February fight at a northwest Houston apartment complex, police said.
Houston police said the boy was referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation Authorities after investigators reviewed the Feb. 4 stabbing at 8047 Grow Lane. His name and photo were not released because he is a juvenile. Police said he was arrested April 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Officers were called to the apartment complex about 7:50 p.m. after reports of a stabbing. They found Riley suffering from a stab wound, and Houston Fire Department paramedics took her to a hospital. She was later pronounced dead. Investigators said the stabbing followed an altercation between two groups of people at the location.
The boy was detained at the scene on the night of the stabbing and later released while detectives continued investigating. Police said he was charged March 31 for his role in the incident. Members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team arrested him in Charlotte more than three weeks later.
Houston police homicide detectives A. Herrera and G. Herrera handled the case. Officials have not released a full account of what led to the fight, how many people were involved or whether a weapon was recovered. Earlier reports from police described the case as involving juveniles and a large disturbance at the apartment complex.
Riley’s death drew grief from her school community and family. She was a student at Dean Middle School in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. School officials said after the stabbing that the campus was mourning the loss of a student and that counselors were available for students and staff.
The case now moves through the juvenile justice system. Under Texas law, a 10-year-old can be referred to juvenile authorities, though court proceedings for children are handled differently than adult criminal cases. Police have not announced any additional arrests.
The investigation remained active after the boy’s arrest. Police listed the case under incident number 015945526 and said the boy was charged after further investigation into the Feb. 4 stabbing.
Author note: Last updated April 24, 2026.