or anything. He believed it had been a work truck and thought nothing of it. According to The Innocence Project, the investigation found no fingerprint or DNA clues that would point toward Jordan being Houk's killer. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 11-year-old boy who was about to become her stepson. Your IP: racist or sexually-oriented language. All we hear is how wonderfully hes doing academically, Jack Houk said. Jordans case is being transferred to the Pennsylvania attorney generals office. It appeared that neither of them had noticed anything unusual that morning. Jordan Brown talks about the confusion he felt for years following his detention in a juvenile delinquency facility for the death of 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk, in an interview with Juju. Of course, Kenzies family remains convinced that Jordan is responsible and that he was released on what is essentially a technicality. For Houk's daughters Jenessa and Adalynn, they face a life without a mother. Houk is the legal guardian of her granddaughters. Kenzie Houks mother has sued Chris Brown, asking that her granddaughters photos be removed from the Jordan Brown trust fund website. You have permission to edit this article. Don't knowingly lie about anyone But investigators believed the strongest piece of circumstantial evidence came from Jenessa. Its a hard day for us. He said that after the older two children had left for school, she turned on the television and got herself something to eat. The boy's attorney, Dennis Elisco, did not immediately return a But police said that Jordan later changed his story, adding additional details about a man inside the truck. But he had been at work during the shooting, so he couldnt have done it. This photo of Kenzie Houk was part of a memorial her family prepared for her in 2009. The 4-year-old called out to a team of tree trimmers, telling one of them that her mother was dead. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, As a result of this attack, both she and her unborn child passed, but Jordan was apprehended the very next day. At 11 or 12, Debbie Houk recalled, Kenzie was involved in gymnastics and took part in national competition in Nashville, Tenn. She finished sixth, her mother said. At around nine a.m. on February 20, 2009, after Chris had gone to work and Jordan and Jenessa had left for school, tree trimmers who had been hired to do some work around the property came upon a . We'd love to hear eyewitness Cloudy skies after midnight. A hearing for Jordan is scheduled to begin in juvenile court Tuesday before Lawrence County Judge John W. Hodge. Houks 7-year-old daughter told police she saw Brown quickly cover something in a blue blanket. Police said what really turned the case for them were additional interviews they conducted with Jenessa and Jordan the night of the murders. Those evaluations are required by state law to determine if the youth is receiving adequate treatment. Christopher Brown was not home at the time of the shooting, Bongivengo said, adding police had confirmed he was at work by 7 a.m. and her unborn baby boy the day before as she lay in her bed. Meanwhile, his father kept fighting for his freedom. Eventually, at 14, Jordan was found delinquent and sentenced to be held at juvie until 21. The worker quickly called 911 and waited for Pennsylvania State Police to arrive. Jordan Brown was released from a juvenile detention facility in June 2016, months before his 19th birthday, and ordered to remain on probation until 21-years-old. You have permission to edit this article. As soon as the coroner began taking photos, Martin realized that what they were looking at was no complication or accident. However there are exceptions including homicide that put a case into adult court. I've talked to him numerous times in depth about what happened and if he knew anything about it, if he was involved, he would have told me by now," Brown said. The investigators insisted that Jordan's motive must be jealousy over the new baby. But in the five years since the shooting, Jordan has not received the help he needs, she said. On July 1, 2020 Jordan Brown and his father filed a lawsuit against retired state police investigators and officials seeking personal damages, but neither have made a single attempt in seeking justice for Kenzie Houk and their unborn son. We didn't believe it. They interviewed 7-year-old Jenessa four times, but only recorded the fourth interview. They still believe that he should receive the maximum punishment and even that he should be tried as an adult. I hope they will not forget her. Martin waited for another officer to arrive and then went with him into the bedroom. Physically he's grown 4 inches plus, and 40 pounds, close to 40 pounds. Winds light and variable. A Bloomington-Normal music teacher has been sentenced to 88 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to sexual as. She anticipates adding volleyball and track this year. Keep it Clean. Since Jordans adjudication and disposition the juvenile justice system equivalent of a guilty verdict and sentencing Houk family members have been present every six months when Lawrence County Judge John W. Hodge reviews the case. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. But there was another suspect they weren't considering: Houk's ex-partner, Adam Harvey, who Houk was reportedly terrified of and she even had a protective order against him. But everything changed on the morning of February 20, 2009. Elisco arrived at the state police station before the press conference had ended, in search of the district attorney. Ignatz said the police investigating the slaying came from Troop D which covers Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties. Her daughters Jenessa, 13 next month, and Adalynn, who turned 9 on Wednesday are growing up, Houks parents Jack and Debbie Houk of Shenango Township said. As CNN reports, both Houk and her unborn baby had been killed by a 20-gauge shotgun bullet to the back of the head. Ive never received the answers I want. So he was ruled out as a suspect pretty quickly. Browns son, Jordan, 14, is charged in her shooting death as well as the death of her unborn baby. Christopher Brown, Jordan's dad, was working at the time, so he had an alibi (perABC News). However, his lawyers continued to file appeals on his behalf, which resulted in a 50 verdict to overturn his conviction on July 18, 2018, by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Houks suit states that names, identities and likenesses of the children are being used for fundraising purposes without the consent of the guardian and in violation of Pennsylvania law.. accounts, the history behind an article. Most children who are imprisoned have their case examined within a year at the most, while Jordan's case languished for years before he was even officially charged with anything (viaNew Castle News). accounts, the history behind an article. He didnt realize the gravity of what was happening to him until he was incarcerated for three to five years. But now, Jordan is trying to move on and not let the past bother him. Use the 'Report' link on a good shot. Be Proactive. Two years after his guilty verdict for the first-degree murder of Kenzie and the criminal homicide of her unborn child was overturned for good, Jordan filed a federal lawsuit against a few former police officials over his stolen childhood. Chris was running late for work and though his eight-months pregnant fiancee asked him to stay home, he decided that he should go into the office anyway. If convicted, he could become the youngest person in U.S. history to be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Hes remarkable, Alec Wright, one of Jordans lawyers, candidly stated. 54.38.94.71 Brown and his dad Christopher lived with Houk and her two small You have permission to edit this article. Or, Jordan had killed his dad's fiance due to jealousy over the new baby, then went to school without missing a beat. I am seeking justice for Kenzie Marie Houk, her unborn son, Christopher, and their loved ones. Join Facebook to connect with Jenessa Houk and others you may know. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. "I know my son. At first, it appeared that Kenzie had some sort of medical emergency related to the pregnancy. told Chris and Kenzie and they didn't believe it," Kraner said. dangers of a gun.". First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. We Jordan's life has a bit more normalcy now that he has left prison. Jenessa is a cheerleader for football and basketball and plays basketball on an AAU traveling team. She even had a stepson through Chris in the form of his 11-year-old son Jordan. The site calls for financial support to provide Jordan with an effective defense. racist or sexually-oriented language. Kenzie Houk had been shot in the back of the head. The 26-year-old shared the New Beaver Borough home with her fiance, Chris Brown, his . Right now, Jenessa Houk lives in New Castle, PA. Jenessa maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Kenneth Lauffer, Genevie Kelch, Stephanie Lauffer, Sherri Shaffer and Harold Cross. Threats of harming another It's the same gun that killed my Both follow in their mothers athletic footsteps and both have chosen Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast Gabby Douglas and their mother as role models. Human gestation is generally 38 weeks, with two weeks more or less considered to be normal. Police arrived to find Houk lying on the bed downstairs in a pool of blood. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. April 28, 2010— -- The killing of a young pregnant mother, allegedly by the 11-year-old boy who was about to become her stepson, has created a bitter feud between two families that were about to be happily joined through marriage. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism The 11-year-old New Beaver Borough resident has been charged with criminal homicide and homicide of an unborn child after his fathers girlfriend just weeks away from giving birth was found shot to death in her home. Be Nice. (AP Photo/Thhe Houk Family). Kenzie Houk's younger daughter Adalynn describes finding her mom dead . According to Bongivengo, there were initial reports from the boy about a black truck in the area that the children didnt recognize. (AP Photo/Lawence County Prison via Beaver County Times Lawrence County Prison via Beave Brown. Steve Ignatz, a lieutenant with the state police, said there is no law in Pennsylvania calling for the sales of shotguns to be recorded, as is required with handguns. The site jordanbrowntrust.org now includes blank spaces and the statement Image removed at the request of the Houk family. The girls names also have been removed from text within the website. Their motion notes she did not testify at Jordans preliminary hearing March 29. In the suit, Houk asked that all reference to Adalynn Houk, 7, and Jenessa Houk, 11, be removed from the website. They called 911. They didnt move her, choosing to preserve the integrity of the scene as they waited for the medical examiner. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Please subscribe to keep reading. Kenzies death had been caused by a single gunshot wound to the back of the head, possibly by a 20-gauge shotgun.The Brown household held a number of handguns, rifles, shotguns, including a 20-gauge one, and several rounds of ammunition. Low 39F. About 8:15 a.m., Jordan and Janessa went out the back door and headed to school. Jordan said he had seen a black truck near his house that morning, but he didn't think anything of it at the time. The district attorney said he works at Steelite, which is in an industrial park off Pulaski Road in Neshannock Township. Attorney Dennis Elisco said the evidence that will come out in trial will show that Jordan did not commit this crime. Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. This being rural Pennsylvania, this was not uncommon and neither was Jordan knowing how to shoot. According to the attorneys, her original two statements to police indicated she noticed nothing unusual. Low around 40F. But eventually, he noted, the 7-year-old implicated him. Of course, Harvey also just discovered that 4-year-old Adalynn, was not his biological daughter as he once believed her to be. In the environment that he's in, a child like that is going to break down and his story has not changed from day one. However, he noted officers had executed several search warrants, including one Friday that produced what they believe to be the murder weapon. Jordan was released from juvenile detention in 2016, seven years after the murder of Kenzie Houk, since he had completed a slate of juvenile detention programs, per New Castle News. Be Nice. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Its just not fair for the Houks, Jack Houk said. The graves are decorated for holidays and special occasions, including Kenzies April 20 birthday and the anniversary of her death. It was Houk's 4-year-old daughter Adalynn who discovered her own mother's body. Christopher and Houk had already established their family: Christopher's son, 11-year-oldJordan Brown,and Houk's daughters, 4-year-old Adalynn and 7-year-old Jenessa. Over the years, Debbie Houk said, she is trying to summon up forgiveness for the boy accused in the death of her daughter and grandson. A Pennsylvania judge ruled last month that the boy will be tried as an adult. These ventures are why the latter bought a youth-sized 20-gauge shotgun for his son, which the police considered the murder weapon. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Stay at Home shutterstock.com NORMAL A Normal woman is suing the town's police department in federal court after she said officers used excessive force and arrested her w. "He's an average 12-year-old," said Jordan's father Chris Brown. They say they remember that. Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, shared the two-story white frame farmhouse on Wampum-New Galilee Road with her two daughters, her boyfriend Christopher Brown and Jordan, his son. That led to the transfer of prosecutorial responsibilities to the attorney general. The Houks gathered at the hospital to say goodbye -- not only to Kenzie Houk, but to their unborn grandson, who was to be named Christopher Jr. "It was horrible. 51K views, 80 likes, 1 loves, 226 comments, 24 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from ABC 20/20: For the first time, Kenize Houk's younger daughter Adalynn describes finding her mother dead inside their. Bongivengo who said no bond is normal in a homicide case noted the boy is segregated at the jail. Share with Us. telephone call seeking comment Tuesday. Chance of rain 60%. This story originally appearedFeb. 23, 2009, in the New Castle News. Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, shared the two-story white frame farmhouse on Wampum-New Galilee Road with her two daughters, her boyfriend Christopher Brown and Jordan, his son. Then, around 2011, prosecutors chose not to try him as an adult in the fatal shooting, as they had initially planned. Jordan Brown. Lamancusa revealed he had provided unspecified legal advice to Jordans father, Christopher Brown. After nine-and-a-half years, Chris Brown felt as if a great weight had been lifted off him and his family. Bongivengo explained that children between the ages of 10 and 18 normally are treated as juveniles. Jordans conviction was eventually overturned due to insufficient evidence. The coroner said an unborn baby could survive only minutes after its mothers death. They said hes getting counseling because his mother abandoned him as a baby, Debbie Houk said. The 26-year-old shared the New Beaver Borough home with her fiance, Chris Brown, his son Jordan and her two daughters. He is in a state of disbelief and shock., Elisco echoed Bongivengos words, saying this is an extremely tragic situation.. Debbie Houk said Jordan, a hunter, knew a lot about guns and was A funeral for Houk and her baby boy, who was named Christopher racist or sexually-oriented language. Houk family members said they have been disappointed at how the case has played out and cannot believe it has stretched out for five years without resolution. But many argue 12 is simply too young to face the prospect of an adult sentence. Use the 'Report' link on her daughters. Jenessa woke Jordan up, and the two left for school together. Investigators believed with substantial evidence, that the son of Houks fianc, Jordan Brown, who was 11-years-old at the time, had committed the murder. As the result of the investigation, which reportedly included statements from Janessa Houk who was 7 when the shooting occurred Jordan was charged with two counts of homicide in the death of Houk and her unborn child. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. The arrest of an allegedly murderous fifth-grader quickly found its way onto the Internet and onto network news. This includes photographs, references to or the identities of the minor children. Rain earlythen remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Police said they found a spent shotgun shell in the same spot. Home. Bones found in Taylor Township identified as Story, Pa. state senators urge Biden to restart Keysto, Successes despite setbacks veteran and New Ca, Larry Pugh discusses Black history during library event, Live stream: Jordan Brown news conference, Our view | Disorder in the court: Nine years far too long to decide homicide case, Jordan Brown released, but case remains under appeal, Dollar General plans new Neshannock store, Column by Ron Poniewasz Jr.: WPIAL doesn't disappoint with questionable playoff venues, Two charged in gunfire while driving incident, Man charged for being inside condemned house, County WPIAL teams bidding for berth in state title tilt, Amish buggy crash victim described as good neighbor, Woman accused of stabbing man with scissors, New Castle school administrators getting raises, ROBISON, Linda May 19, 1951 - Mar 1, 2023, MARCEAU JR., William Jul 29, 1956 - Feb 27, 2023, SNIDER, Steven Jun 10, 1983 - Jan 25, 2023. 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