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Murder of Yevheniia Koval

The father of 14-year-old Sofia Koval took away her cell phone on May 22nd, 2024, to discipline her for “behavioral issues.” She had recently moved from Ukraine to Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, about 30 miles north of Miami, and was having problems adjusting. Her father believed she was suffering after witnessing the Ukraine-Russia war and from being separated from her mother, CBS News reported.

Sofia’s father left the residence at 7 p.m. to visit a friend, and she was alone with her 79-year-old grandmother, Yevheniia Koval.

When Sofia’s father came back at 12:30 am the next morning, he saw his mother lying on the living room floor of the apartment. She was bruised, injured, and unresponsive.

According to an affidavit, he asked Sofia what happened, and she told him that her grandmother scratched her, so she had to defend herself. She also told him he struck her with a belt multiple times. She also cried and apologized. The father also believed that his mother was hit with her walker.

He called 911, and medical personnel arrived and took her to Broward Health Medical Center, where she later died, CBS News reported.

According to an affidavit, Sofia was taken to the Broward Sheriff Office Public Safety Building, but refused to exit the police car. Her father had numerous discussions with her in Ukrainian while trying to get out of the car. At some point, he told officers that Sofia said something along the lines of she was already dying and that she helped her die.

The investigators noted she was agitated and aggressive. They learned she hadn’t been eating or sleeping, and they believed she was having a mental breakdown or psychotic episode. They felt she was a threat to harm herself or others, and she was transported to Fort Lauderdale Behavioral Health Center.

On the way, she confessed to the murder on smack the partition, causing a hand injury. She was medicated, but after he blood pressure dropped, she was sent to Broward Health Medical Center, the same place where her grandmother had just died, according to the affidavit.

Investigation & Autopsy

As the investigation progressed, Sofia’s clothing was collected, and the forensics team combed the crime scene for evidence. They collected the belt, fingerprints, hair, and fibers. They also took photographs of the scene and took Sofia’s cell phone, according to the affidavit.

An autopsy later revealed Yevheniia had multiple injuries to her neck, face, hands, arms, and legs. She also had a scalp contusion and a brain bleed. Her death was ruled a homicide. Two days after the crime, she was ordered to be taken into custody on a charge of second-degree murder, according to the affidavit.

After her arrest, she was taken to the South Florida Juvenile Detention Center.

Legal Proceedings

According to the Broward State’s Attorney’s Office, she was formally charged with manslaughter on October 1st, 2024, and subsequently moved from the South Florida Juvenile Detention Center to Broward County Jail. With her being underage, she was placed in protective custody.

The Broward State’s Attorney’s Office announced on October 30th, 2024, that Sofia pleaded no contest to manslaughter in adult court, but she was sentenced as a juvenile.

She was ordered to serve up to three years in a juvenile justice maximum-risk commitment program. That is considered to be the highest level of juvenile commitment in Florida.

According to Florida legislation, these facilities house people usually between 13 and 19, who have committed murder, arson, sexual offenses, manslaughter, robbery, and many other violent crimes. She was also ordered to be on community supervision until she turns 21.

According to Flaherty Defense Firm, a maximum-risk facility is like an adult prison with locking doors and perimeter fencing to prevent escapes. Youth are mostly housed in their own cell and restraints are used when needed.

Since Sofia is not a US citizen, she is expected to be sent back to Ukraine when her in-custody sentence is complete.

While many may find the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, prosecutors said they worked with the family throughout the process. Sofia’s father, who is also the victim’s son, supported the resolution as he didn’t want to see his daughter locked up in an adult prison for an extended period of time.

She would have faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in adult prison if she hadn’t agreed to the deal, according to the Broward State’s Attorney’s Office.