PA- 42yo Douglas Dietz murdered, son being charged as adult on his 11th birthday - Duncannon, Perry County, 13 Jan 2026

[ivylambs]

Let him interact with other children in jail but keep always an eye on his behavior.

This is the key, IMO. How will a child ever have the chance at developing if he is surrounded by nothing but adult criminals?

 

[ChatteringBirds]

exactly..I don't see her defending him at all..i would of said it was me before i let my autistic child or either of my kids go to jail especially for something this bad.

Or the parent could be honest -- he did this but we will take our blame for not properly securing the gun, or for the way the situation escalated or....

What does one do when their child has crossed the rubicon? The child is not safe. The family is not safe.

Right, and I can see saying, We can't let them live here again. But we still want to see and talk to them, help them get the help they really need, etc.

I am a bit baffled by completely rejecting a younger child, but I could see being afraid of a very troubled older teen. JMO.

 

[Ghostwheel]

CD commited a murder. JD cannot defend CD but from now on she can support him like she always did. CD doesn’t belong in an adult setting but in a correction centre. IMO give CD a sentence of 15 years till he is 26. Let him study in jail and first let him take full responsibility for his actions. Also keep record of his behavior in jail and keep monitoring him. Give CD the therapy he needs. Make a good clear plan for his future. If he behaves well reward him with little things. Let him interact with other children in jail but keep always an eye on his behavior.

Real question (I always have to say this because I am not baiting, I just want to know). What help might CD get in a standard correction center? No one in a standard correction center makes good clear plans for anyone there that I am aware of. If he has Autism and receives no help, he may not understand his responsibility in his crime. It seems to me that he would need something like Pennsylvania's Neurodevelopmental Residential Treatment Unit (though it seems to be for adults) or some specific place where he could get help while incarcerated. He's only 11.

Spotlight on SCI Albion’s NRTU – The PA Prisons and Parole Podcast

podcast.cor.pa.gov

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/prisoners-with-developmental-disabilities-face-unique-challenges-one-facility-is-offering-solutions

 

[kaen]

I think the bigger question is this:

If this child had a gift taken for behavior issues and his response was to sneak to find it AND, when he did not, he leapt to shooting his father, the disordered thinking is not predictable and no way near proportional. One could argue that an 11 year old is not fully developed. One could further argue that he was not recognizing the consequences of his actions. Apparently, neither parent thought that he would stew on this the way he did. Further neither parent thought he was capable of the heinous action he committed. The family friend describe escalating behavior that made the family fear for the safety of other children at school-- requesting a class change.

Even with amazing therapy and eagle-eye supervision, a person with this profile can be a ticking time bomb. When can you say he is trustworthy and the situation is safe? Is it possible that he can learn perspective taking and understand the results of his behavioral choices/actions? How many feet do you stand away from them when other vulnerable people are in the area? What is the right amount of risk? Tackles happen in an instant. Slamming a head into a concrete wall can be fatal. A push into traffic or out of a window. An attempted drowning in a toilet. A finger gouging out an eye. A metal chair that hits a head. I have witnessed all of the above in my line of work. AND, I have seen been totally surprised at the young people who have done these actions-- did I think it was possible? Yes, but I never would have imagined that it would become a reality. I thank the heavens that my students didn't succeed at killing but I am totally sure if they had not been stopped that a killing might have been a result. Additionally, any number of my students would feel bad about their actions in retrospect but would continue chew on it until they get back to feeling justified. These disorders can morph into anti-social disorders of scary magnitudes with small actions.

The threat here may have a chance to be mediated and he can be taught to deal with frustration and anger. That said, can he ever be seen as safe? If we look at the Slender Man attackers (young girls who attacked another unsuspecting young girl) we have seen at least one on the precipice of being free AND making an outrageous choice to runaway because she feared the group home would limit her from being with the man she was interested in. This woman was on track to be released--- no ability to not have what she wanted even to the point where she screwed herself becoming free. I don't think the critical diagnosis here is Autism at this point in time. It is very likely that something bigger and more challenging is happening for this child.

 

[lonetraveler]

I think the bigger question is this:

If this child had a gift taken for behavior issues and his response was to sneak to find it AND, when he did not, he leapt to shooting his father, the disordered thinking is not predictable and no way near proportional. One could argue that an 11 year old is not fully developed. One could further argue that he was not recognizing the consequences of his actions. Apparently, neither parent thought that he would stew on this the way he did. Further neither parent thought he was capable of the heinous action he committed. The family friend describe escalating behavior that made the family fear for the safety of other children at school-- requesting a class change.

Even with amazing therapy and eagle-eye supervision, a person with this profile can be a ticking time bomb. When can you say he is trustworthy and the situation is safe? Is it possible that he can learn perspective taking and understand the results of his behavioral choices/actions? How many feet do you stand away from them when other vulnerable people are in the area? What is the right amount of risk? Tackles happen in an instant. Slamming a head into a concrete wall can be fatal. A push into traffic or out of a window. An attempted drowning in a toilet. A finger gouging out an eye. A metal chair that hits a head. I have witnessed all of the above in my line of work. AND, I have seen been totally surprised at the young people who have done these actions-- did I think it was possible? Yes, but I never would have imagined that it would become a reality. I thank the heavens that my students didn't succeed at killing but I am totally sure if they had not been stopped that a killing might have been a result. Additionally, any number of my students would feel bad about their actions in retrospect but would continue chew on it until they get back to feeling justified. These disorders can morph into anti-social disorders of scary magnitudes with small actions.

The threat here may have a chance to be mediated and he can be taught to deal with frustration and anger. That said, can he ever be seen as safe? If we look at the Slender Man attackers (young girls who attacked another unsuspecting young girl) we have seen at least one on the precipice of being free AND making an outrageous choice to runaway because she feared the group home would limit her from being with the man she was interested in. This woman was on track to be released--- no ability to not have what she wanted even to the point where she screwed herself becoming free.

Something missing in your analysis is that he is also autistic.

 

[kaen]

Something missing in your analysis is that he is also autistic.

I would venture that the Autism plays a role but that there is an emotional disturbance, possibly ODD or Conduct Disorder at play. Autism does not usually play out this way for the majority of people with this diagnosis. Rigidity and lack of social awareness can be common traits but the family friend mentioned sexual inappropriateness at school, fear among peers/school officials of his behavior. I don't doubt his Autism dx but that is not how he got here. JMHO.

 

[spookyprincess]

Does anyone know what's going on with his court case today?? I can't believe he's been in prison since the 13th. That's no place for an autistic child. I just read he has a public defender?? no advocate?

 

[spicyenigma]

Does anyone know what's going on with his court case today?? I can't believe he's been in prison since the 13th. That's no place for an autistic child.

It looks like he has a hearing scheduled for 10am and 1pm today?

 

[spookyprincess]

It looks like he has a hearing scheduled for 10am and 1pm today?

Thanks! So this attorney oversaw the juvenile unit but it doesn't say how many cases are involving child defendants facing criminal homicide or kids with autism.. I hope he doesn't just do the minimum..it seems he's more of a representing the police kind of attorney.

 

[tlcya]

It looks like he has a hearing scheduled for 10am and 1pm today?

thank you for this, making note of the case number and court specifics here so I can more easily locate them later.

Docket Number: MJ-41303-CR-0000007-2026
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/casesearch

Looks like it was scheduled for 10:00 am this morning but has been continued to 1pm this afternoon. Hoping for updates later. This case troubles me.

 

[spookyprincess]

I realize he did a horrible thing and a person lost their life. A wife lost her husband and "child" all in an instant. I just feel like because it's homicide this kid's autism and mental health aren't going to have the appropriate amount of discretionary influence as it would be if it was any other crime. I just hope he gets help not just time. There are just a ton of kids in he system who have a diagnosis and just have to deal with it, adults too.

 

[spookyprincess]

thank you for this, making note of the case number and court specifics here so I can more easily locate them later.

Docket Number: MJ-41303-CR-0000007-2026
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/casesearch

Looks like it was scheduled for 10:00 am this morning but has been continued to 1pm this afternoon. Hoping for updates later. This case troubles me.

It has also been consuming me..i have an autistic child around the same age so I can't help but think of how scared he would be just being there for 5 mins let alone almost 10 days.

 

[spicyenigma]

thank you for this, making note of the case number and court specifics here so I can more easily locate them later.

Docket Number: MJ-41303-CR-0000007-2026
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/casesearch

Looks like it was scheduled for 10:00 am this morning but has been continued to 1pm this afternoon. Hoping for updates later. This case troubles me.

Thank you for the further explanation! I wasn't sure what continued meant lol.

 

[spookyprincess]

does anyone know if the decertification has been requested? The summary is pretty vague..im guessing bc he's a juvenile.. just my opinion.

this is what i found out:

• Procedural Requirements: A petition for decertification (transfer to juvenile court) can only be formally considered once the case is moved to the Court of Common Pleas, which typically occurs after the preliminary hearing.
• Defense Strategy: Legal experts and local reports indicate that attorneys for the 11-year-old are expected to petition the court to move the case to the juvenile system eventually, as this process can take months and involves proving the child is amenable to treatment.

Current Status Summary:

• Status: Pending preliminary hearing.
• Custody: The juvenile remains in a detention facility after being denied bail.
• Next Action: The preliminary hearing on January 22 will determine if there is enough evidence to move the case to the Court of Common Pleas, where a decertification request can be formally litigated.

 

[spookyprincess]

Ive been researching this on ai...just my opinion.
Special Populations and High-Risk Outcomes

• Developmental Disabilities: National research indicates youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are at a higher risk of second- and third-time offending compared to non-disabled peers. An intellectual disability diagnosis can increase the risk of reincarceration by up to 176% if medical and social services are not maintained post-release.
• Serious/Violent Offenders: For youth categorized as "Serious, Violent, and Chronic" (SVC), the recidivism rate is significantly higher at 31% to 40%.
• Adult vs. Juvenile System: There is a stark contrast in outcomes based on where a child is housed. The recidivism rate for youth offenders in the juvenile system ranges from 11% to 31%, whereas child offenders placed directly into the adult system have a recidivism rate of 75%.

 

[spookyprincess]

actors Preventing Integration with Violent General Population

• Specialized "Cottage" Housing: Facilities like the Loysville Youth Development Center (LYDC) use a "cottage" system to categorize residents. Neurodivergent youth, especially those as young as 11, are typically housed in specialized units (e.g., Williams Cottage) designed specifically for intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). These units focus on life skills rather than general corrections.

Where He is Likely to Be Housed

• Secure Detention for Alleged Homicide: Because he is charged with a violent felony (homicide), he must remain in a secure facility, but "secure" does not mean "integrated".
• Neurobehavioral Units: He will likely be placed in a staff-secure, neurobehavioral unit where the other residents also have developmental or serious mental health diagnoses. In these units, staff-to-resident ratios are much higher to ensure safety and provide therapeutic support.

Potential Risks
While strict separation protocols exist, advocacy groups (such as Disability Rights Pennsylvania) have highlighted that up to 70% of youth in state-run centers have disabilities. This means that while he may be separated from "typical" violent offenders, he will still be housed with other youth who have "serious behavioral disorders" and a history of aggression, provided those youth also have similar developmental or mental health profiles.

(google ai) Just my opinion..

 

[borndem]

Welcome to Websleuths,
spookyprincess !!​

​

 

[spookyprincess]

sorry i know ive been posting a lot, but im trying to find some stuff...I just keep typing more questions into the ai.. this is unbelievable...they really could of legally left their multiple weapons loaded right on the table in plain sight and they wouldn't have been held accountable if he got his hands on them.. what a disgrace. just my opinion.

In
Perry County and throughout Pennsylvania, there are no state or local laws that mandate gun owners to store their firearms in a locked safe or with specific child-safety locks as of January 2026.

Current Legal Framework

• No Mandatory Storage: Pennsylvania does not require unattended firearms to be kept locked, unloaded, or in a separate location from ammunition.
• Absence of CAP Laws: Unlike several other states, Pennsylvania lacks Child Access Prevention (CAP) laws that would impose criminal penalties on adults if a minor gains access to an unsecured firearm.
• Dealer Requirements: The state only requires licensed firearm dealers to provide a locking device (or verify the purchaser has one) during the initial sale of a handgun. It does not mandate that the owner actually use it once they are at home.

(google ai)

 

[spookyprincess]

Welcome to Websleuths,
spookyprincess !!​

​

hi sorry...ive been in this deep dive just posting my findings and opinions only.

 

[spookyprincess]

The 1pm hearing i read is also postponed..