David Collins | WBALTV | April 30, 2026 | Original Source

BALTIMORE —

The 10-year-old boy who officials said crashed a stolen car in Baltimore on Wednesday can't be charged due to his age and the nature of the crime.

Still, WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates has learned the Baltimore City sheriff is seeking a Child in Need of Supervision petition.

The Sheriff's Office can petition the Department of Juvenile Services to look at the circumstances of the case. If accepted, the agency would discuss with a parent or guardian appropriate interventions and services available.

"I heard a big boom. Then I just looked out the window and saw the police chasing somebody," said Desha Ivory, a witness.

The boom was the sound of the stolen car crashing into a fire hydrant. Baltimore City Sheriff Sam Cogen said a 10-year-old boy was behind the wheel, joyriding a stolen car with a 12-year-old passenger.

Investigators have not determined who stole the vehicle.

"Ten years old. It's young, real young," Ivory said. "To me, it's sad because this generation is gone. It's gone. I just pray for the younger generation, because we need our kids out here."

Investigators said the kids caught the attention of sheriff's deputies when they blew past a stop sign.

Deputies followed with their police lights flashing. After the crash, the kids fled. Deputies caught the 10-year-old but not the passenger. State law prohibits charging the child.

"Under state law, it has been this way for a while, individuals between the ages of 10 and 12 can only be charged with violent crimes and crimes involving firearms. So, the mere theft of a car does not even qualify to be charged as a juvenile, let alone with anything else," said Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

"What to do as a city when we have children that we care about, committing these criminal acts and using really poor judgment," Cogen said. "How do we stop them from doing this and get them off this path and get them the help that's out there?"

According to investigators, the car owner is upset about the theft. It was their primary source of transportation. Prosecutors said in cases like this, it's difficult to charge the parent.

"You would have to show knowledge on the part of the parents. The fact that they knew the car was stolen and that their kid was driving it," Shellenberger said.

The CINS petition has not been filed yet.