7-year-old New York boy charged with rape, as police release few details about his alleged crime

Police say a 7-year-old boy from New York was charged with rape, though investigators released little about his alleged crime. 

The incident was reported to police on Thanksgiving in upstate New York,  authorities said.

New York State Police did not release any details regarding the case, but did say that the unidentified child was charged with third-degree rape on March 23, according to WWNY-TV.

WWNY-TV in New York spoke with attorney,  Anthony Martone, regarding this case. Hesaid, “Instinctually, it shouldn’t happen that a 7 year old  — I don’t think you even could really realize what you’re doing at 7 years old. So I think it’s absurd to charge a 7 year old with rape. They’d have to prove he actually physically committed this act, which to me it almost seems to be an impossibility.”

The attorney added it appears that the boy is being charged as a juvenile delinquent. In New York, there is a bill pending that would change the minimum age for being charged as a juvenile delinquent from 7 to 12 years old, the attorney said.

Police said the investigation into the rape incident is still being conducted.

As of now, the 7-year-old boy was cited and released. The case will be handled in Family Court, authorities said.