October 30, 2024

A Broward County teen pleaded no contest in adult court today to a charge of manslaughter in the May 23 beating death of her 79-year-old grandmother at their home.

Sofia Koval, 14, (DOB: 5/9/2010), was immediately sentenced to a Florida Department of Juvenile Justice maximum risk commitment program, the highest level of juvenile commitment in the state. She will serve the maximum penalty of up to three years, followed by community supervision until age 21. Because Koval is not a U.S. citizen, it is expected she will be deported at the conclusion of her in-custody sentence.

She was adjudicated delinquent and has an adult criminal record but was sentenced to juvenile sanctions under the terms of the negotiated plea agreement. A no-contest plea means the individual does not dispute the charge filed against them. The judge in adult court, Broward Circuit Judge Thomas Coleman, will retain jurisdiction of the case.

Prosecutors met extensively with the victim’s family before agreeing to Koval’s change of plea. The victim’s son, who is also the father of the defendant, spoke in court and told the judge it was a “very, very difficult situation” as he has lost his mother to his daughter. The son/father said he fully supported the outcome and thanked the prosecution, defense and judge for how they had handled the case.

Koval has been detained since her arrest. Prosecutors filed the manslaughter charge against her in adult court on Oct. 1.

The maximum possible penalty for the offense was up to 15 years in adult prison but the law also allows for a minor to be sentenced to juvenile sanctions. The judge told Koval that if she violates any of the terms of her sentence in the future – even after completing her custodial sentence – she will be sent back to him and could face a maximum of fifteen years in adult state prison.

Upon completion of her sentence, it is expected she will be transferred to federal custody for deportation to her native Ukraine because she is not a U.S. citizen.

The maximum risk program requires individuals to complete the required punitive, educational, therapeutic and all other appropriate goals identified by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s evaluation and imposed by the sentencing judge. Click here for additional information.

After considering all of the available facts, evidence, and circumstances, Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor and a panel of senior prosecutors decided the case should be transferred to adult court and that manslaughter was the appropriate charge. Following extensive discussions with the victim’s family, the decision was made to enter into the plea agreement.

State Attorney Harold F. Pryor said: “Because of the heinous nature of the crime and after considering everything presented by the defense, I believe it is appropriate that this case was transferred to adult court and that juvenile sanctions were imposed. We considered all options and worked closely with the victim’s family and with the defense attorneys at the Broward Public Defender’s Office to come up with an appropriate resolution that holds her accountable but also factors in her age and the circumstances of this offense.”

The Broward Sheriff’s Office investigated this case and made the arrest.

More details and court documents are available under case # 24010822CF10A on www.browardclerk.org

Contact: Broward State Attorney’s Office mediarelations@sao17.state.fl.us or 954-831-7910
https://browardsao.com