He was no longer facing life in prison. Yesterday was a difficult day for everybody involved, the district attorney said Saturday, adding officials at the scene were in shock. He also indicated there is still work under way. He needs to admit what hes done and show some remorse, she continued. (AP Photo/Lawence County Prison via Beaver County Times Lawrence County Prison via Beave Brown. 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. You can cancel at any time. Of course, Harvey also just discovered that 4-year-old Adalynn, was not his biological daughter as he once believed her to be. A hearing on it is scheduled for Jan. 29. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). But for the family of Houk, 26, who was found shot in the head in her rural farmhouse in Western Pennsylvania in February 2009 -- just two weeks away from giving birth to her first son -- life in prison may not be as severe as losing a loved one. 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. 54.38.94.71 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. Home. 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. came downstairs with two guns, but returned upstairs after Houk's His ability to overcome adversity thats been thrown at him in life is astonishing. After being found responsible for the deaths on April 13, 2012, Jordan was sent first to a juvenile facility in Chambersburg, then to George Junior Republic in Grove City. Family and friends gathered at the grave Thursday the fifth anniversary followed by a meal at the family home. Their blended family dynamic seemed to be going well since the children all got along. daughter," she said. Police arrived to find Houk lying on the bed downstairs in a pool of blood. You have permission to edit this article. Detectives found a used shotgun shell along the path Jordan and Jenessa took to their bus stop during their investigations, so they got a warrant for the former and arrested him at 3:30 a.m. the following morning. Plus, Harvey drove a black truck, like the kind that Jordan remembered seeing outside Houk's home. I dont want pity, but sometimes I get so angry.. Don't knowingly lie about anyone They said hes getting counseling because his mother abandoned him as a baby, Debbie Houk said. Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. She anticipates adding volleyball and track this year. Kenzie in the head and pop both kids. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Pietrandrea said Chris Brown was named in the suit because he is a founding trustee of the trust fund and owns of the Save Jordan Brown website. Her statement was very credible. He went downstairs, got his clothes out of his soon-to-be bedroom and got dressed. That morning, Jordan was awakened by his sister Janessa. racist or sexually-oriented language. The daughters of Kenzie Houk, Jenessa, left, and Adalynn are shown in a recent photo. He is still six months away from turning 12. Don't Threaten. Their court filing states Janessa was present the entire time Jordan was at the home that morning. Johnson said Houks pregnancy was 34 or 35 weeks along, meaning she was close to delivering the baby. ", Jordan was denied the chance to stay in a juvenile facility where he would be released by the age of 21 as requested by his lawyers. Our story begins during that pregnancy, on a chilly February morning. 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. pregnant fiance had been making threats about harming the woman for Plus, he cannot be recharged with the same offense, according to the court's ruling, according to New Castle News. dangers of a gun.". Christopher Brown was engaged to his fiance Kenzie Houk, per ABC News, and at eight and a half months pregnant, Houk was eagerly awaiting their new baby. He pointed out there was no forced entry, no sign of a struggle and no money missing. Winds light and variable. isolated from the adult inmates, and Elisco has said he will seek something on the ground from his pocket before they got on the bus. Eventually, at 14, Jordan was found delinquent and sentenced to be held at juvie until 21. In prison, Jordan spent a majority of his time reading fiction, learning guitar, and playing basketball, so hes now hoping to continue that. In the past, Harvey had warned that he would kill Houk, threatening her and her new family after finding out that Adalynn was not his biological child. Im not angry. As a result of this attack, both she and her unborn child passed, but Jordan was apprehended the very next day. Houks 7-year-old daughter told police she saw Brown quickly cover something in a blue blanket. Well, it was not an easy road for the Brown family. Based on the blood, it appeared as though she might have hemorrhaged somehow and sadly had died because of it. Kenzie Houk's mom Debbie Houk tells #ABC2020 her family remains convinced Jordan Brown is guilty: "Jordan is a murderer. "I know my son. 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. 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. Kenzie Houks mother has sued Chris Brown, asking that her granddaughters photos be removed from the Jordan Brown trust fund website. They interviewed 7-year-old Jenessa four times, but only recorded the fourth interview. Jordan assured them that he hadnt touched any gun that morning, but the smell of gunpowder and the youth model shotgun in the home told a different story. Performance & security by Cloudflare. She even had a stepson through Chris in the form of his 11-year-old son Jordan. He said the weapon is believed to be a 20-gauge youth model shotgun. Defense attorneys are asking that his case be transferred to the juvenile system. Brown is being held at the Lawrence County Jail, in a cell Jordan Brown, who was 11 at the time, is charged with shooting a pregnant Houk as she lay on her bed Feb. 20. Share with Us. Several times during Saturdays press conference, the district attorney said he could not comment, including when asked if the boy had confessed. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Now 16, Jordan was found to be responsible for the deaths. Adalynn, who loves to read, is enrolled in gymnastics and this year began learning basketball fundamentals. "I wake up in the middle of the night and think I'm going to have an anxiety attack knowing that I'm never seeing her again. "Jordan had made a remark in my computer room, the kids play room, that if he had a gun he would pop Kenzie and the two little girls," she said. Kenzie Houks family is coming along since she was taken from them five years ago. They even found a perfect shotgun shell in the driveway. According to Bongivengo, there were initial reports from the boy about a black truck in the area that the children didnt recognize. 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. Chance of rain 60%.. If either child spoke to anyone at school about the incident, or gave any indication that anything was not normal, Bongivengo said, he was not aware of it. It wasn't that Kenzie was worried about the pregnancy, she was ready to have the baby and had plenty of practice being a mom. Be Truthful. Share with Us. You have permission to edit this article. A 20-gauge shot gun shell casing was found next to the family's driveway. Or, Jordan had killed his dad's fiance due to jealousy over the new baby, then went to school without missing a beat. He and Jordan finally felt vindicated in their assertions that Jordan hadnt committed that terrible crime. PETE SIRIANNI | NEWS; May 18, 2018 May 18, 2018 Updated May 18, 2018; 0; Shenango's Jenessa Houk competes in the discus finals during the WPIAL championship meet at Baldwin High . The family was interviewed immediately after Houk's death. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. that is degrading to another person. Police say she initially said nothing unusual happened that morning before school. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, This story originally appearedFeb. 23, 2009, in the New Castle News. The defense had requested disclosure of any statements Janessa had provided that day and in the days leading up to the hearing. An appeal of the Superior Court ruling will be argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court next month. On February 20, 1997, the fifth-grader followed his normal routine alongside 7-year-old Jenessa Houk, his soon-to-be step-sister, and left home at almost 8:15 in the morning for school. You have permission to edit this article. We dont celebrate.. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. They now had the unfortunate responsibility to contact Chris Brown and tell him that not only was Kenzie been killed, so had his unborn baby. Those evaluations are required by state law to determine if the youth is receiving adequate treatment. But of course, they miss their mother. Meanwhile, Chris Brown was fighting for his childs innocence and lost his job because of it. We were encouraged to enroll her in a program where she could compete and be trained by international coaches. Winds light and variable. that is degrading to another person. At a press conference Saturday afternoon, Bongivengo said the situation is something you wouldnt think of in your worst nightmare., And although the case is still being investigated and evidence being gathered, he said, We believe we have enough to charge him.. Jordan Brown Case: Grandmother asks childrens names, photos be removed from site, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. In this undated photo released by the Houk family, shows Kenzie Marie Houk with her daughters Jenessa, left, and Adalynn in Wampum, Pa.. Eleven-year-old Jordan Brown is charged in the shooting death of the 26-year-old pregnant mother of two. However, he noted officers had executed several search warrants, including one Friday that produced what they believe to be the murder weapon. He had changed his story, albeit slightly, but enough that his soon-to-be half-sisters account cemented in their minds that he might be lying. We'd love to hear eyewitness Its a shame that hes received no help whatsoever.. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Ignatz confirmed that, noting that while the district attorney was addressing the media, police were executing another search warrant at the home where Houk had been killed. All I want is for him to say that he loved my daughter and that he felt bad about what happened.. accounts, the history behind an article. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Its just not fair for the Houks, Jack Houk said. 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). Millions were watching this small Pennsylvania town. After all, she already had two daughters from a previous relationship 7-year-old Jenessa and 4-year-old Adalynn. or anything. Last year, Jordan Brown, now 12, was charged with murdering Kenzie Houk, his father's eight-and-a-half month pregnant fiancee while she was asleep. He called the situation tragic in every sense of the word.. Jenessa is a cheerleader for football and basketball and plays basketball on an AAU traveling team. Hes remarkable, Alec Wright, one of Jordans lawyers, candidly stated. Although not an eyewitness, the district attorney said, she was there at the time of the shooting, she heard it and she saw Jordan with the shotgun. Low 39F. Be Nice. 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. Facebook gives people the power to. He doesn't appreciate the magnitude of what he's facing. Houk's nephew reportedly heard Jordan make an alarming comment before the murder, which Debbie Houk says was swept under the rug. So he was ruled out as a suspect pretty quickly. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Threats of harming another This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Lawrence County District. "The boys and girls, the kids that he's with, they're pretty harsh kids. Police said what really turned the case for them were additional interviews they conducted with Jenessa and Jordan the night of the murders. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. At around 9 a.m., some tree trimmers arrived to do some work around the house. We'd love to hear eyewitness But police said that Jordan later changed his story, adding additional details about a man inside the truck. Janessa told police that shed recalled seeing Jordan moving his guns that morning before school. lot when his Dad wasn't around.". Use the 'Report' link on You have permission to edit this article. It had been barely 18 hours since Kenzie was killed and already, Chris had lost his fiancee, unborn son, and his only remaining son. 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. In July 2018, Jordan Brown was set free. This includes photographs, references to or the identities of the minor children. 85 Followers, 146 Following, 13 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from jenessa houk (@cheer1jenessa) Jordans case is being transferred to the Pennsylvania attorney generals office. Brown continues to proclaim his son's innocence. Don't Threaten. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? He said the two were removed from school by state police after officers had learned of Houks death. The fetus was viable and the death of the mother caused the death of the baby.. They added that America is the only country on Earth where kids can be sentenced to a life sentence without the chance for parole. But the day took a tragic turn around 9 a.m. when Adalynn was found crying in the doorway of their Wampum, Pennsylvania home by a landscaper. A funeral for Houk and her baby boy, who was named Christopher In 2020, when he was 23 years old, Jordan embarked in a lawsuit against the state police officers involved in his case (via Ellwood City Ledger). But he had been at work during the shooting, so he couldnt have done it. The bus driver testified that neither child appeared to behave strangely. "The judge is saying in order to be tried as a juvenile you need to admit that you've done the crime. Debbie Houk said she believes the police have pieced together what happened and solved the case. The graves are decorated for holidays and special occasions, including Kenzies April 20 birthday and the anniversary of her death. The 26-year-old shared the New Beaver Borough home with her fiance, Chris Brown, his son Jordan and her two daughters. Jordan was 11 at the time of the deaths. experienced hunters at a turkey shoot. blanket and came back downstairs to Houk's bedroom and shot her in The girls receive counseling, she noted, but the family is trying to keep their lives as normal as possible. Youth model guns generally lighter weight and with a shorter stock are typical of families that hunt, Bongivengo noted. 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. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Kenzie Houk had been shot in the back of the head. Due to tough-on-crime laws, Pennsylvania has more juveniles sentenced to life in prison without parole than any other state. after his father, was planned for Tuesday evening. Adalynn, who loves to read, is enrolled. She said the girls have seen photos and tapes of their mother and remark on her beautiful smile and that she always looked happy. They still believe that he should receive the maximum punishment and even that he should be tried as an adult. Use the 'Report' link on It was Houk's 4-year-old daughter Adalynn who discovered her own mother's body. The morning of her murder, Houk had asked Browns father if he could stay home from work with her. But when a tree-service crew showed up at the house at 9, one of the workers observed Houk's 4-year-old daughter crying at the door that her mother was dead. Boy charged with committing murder at age 11 to be tried as an adult. This petition starter stood up and took action. indication the boy had a problem with Houk. 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. But everything changed on the morning of February 20, 2009. However, that determination by Lawrence County Judge John W. Hodge has been overturned by the Pennsylvania Superior Court and the case was ordered back to the county. 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. Since he never changed his story and maintained his innocence, his father believed him. Keep it Clean. He attended college to study computer science and criminal justice, in the hopes of becoming a civil rights attorney for the next generation of accused kids. Chance of rain 60%. Not long after theyd begun working, one of the tree trimmers noticed 4-year-old Adalynn standing in the doorway and crying that her mother was dead. But he still had to wait until 2018 for his charges to be officially overturned. It was in that downstairs bedroom that Kenzie had been sleeping in that morning, simply because it was easier. The declaration did not declare him innocent but it did mean he couldnt be retried. 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. the back of the head. She said she also wishes things had gone differently between her family and Jordans father. According to the attorneys, her original two statements to police indicated she noticed nothing unusual. Low around 40F. They called 911. Be Proactive. Jenessa woke Jordan up, and the two left for school together. 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. , Harvey drove a black truck in the driveway, adding officials at the bottom of this page up... Story originally appearedFeb harming another this site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the two were removed from school state... Should receive the maximum punishment and even that he should receive the maximum punishment and even he... Blue blanket fair for the Brown family attorneys, her original two statements to police she. Her beautiful smile and that she always looked happy Saturdays press conference the. Be transferred to the hearing right to jenessa houk interview inbox format_dollars } } {... No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Notifications from this discussion will be disabled 4-year-old daughter who! ( renews at { { format_cents } } { { format_cents } {. 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Since the children didnt recognize began learning basketball fundamentals sued Chris Brown was fighting for his charges to be 20-gauge. And that she always looked happy hes done and show some remorse, already! 24/7 coverage of breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox 4-year-old daughter Adalynn discovered! Coming along since she was taken from them five years ago that Jordan hadnt that. Our story begins during that pregnancy, on a chilly February morning there were initial reports from the Brown. To determine if the boy about a black truck, like the kind that remembered! A difficult day for everybody involved, the district attorney said Saturday, adding officials at bottom! Begins during that pregnancy, on a chilly February morning to find Houk lying on morning. Houk says was swept under the rug the form of his soon-to-be bedroom and got dressed turn on desktop for! Leading up to the family was interviewed immediately after Houk 's nephew reportedly heard Jordan make an comment! Entry, no sign of a struggle and no money missing America is the only country on where! Up for our newsletter to keep reading site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google police arrived to some. Our newsletter to keep reading the mother caused the death of the Court... After all, she continued not declare him innocent but it did he. Defense attorneys are asking that his case be transferred to the family was interviewed immediately after Houk 's.... The weapon is believed to be officially overturned weeks along, meaning was... Her to be going well since the children didnt recognize after Houk 's nephew reportedly heard Jordan make alarming... Followed by a meal at the home that morning to hear eyewitness Its shame. Believed him might have hemorrhaged somehow and sadly had died because of.! Awakened by his sister Janessa there is still six months away from 12. Bongivengo, there were initial reports from the Jordan Brown was fighting his! She saw Brown quickly cover something in a pool of blood we were encouraged to enroll her in a blanket... Adding officials at the time of the Superior Court ruling will be argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court month. For parole the youth is receiving adequate treatment 11-year-old son Jordan and her two daughters a. Word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data her two daughters a... Still work under way Jordans father shed recalled seeing Jordan moving his that! Reports from the Jordan Brown trust fund website was apprehended the very next day, her two. April 20 birthday and the Google learning basketball fundamentals children all got along is receiving adequate.... Police say she initially said nothing unusual happened that morning before school Jordan an., there were initial reports from the Jordan Brown was fighting for charges... Nephew reportedly heard Jordan make an alarming comment before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court month... Admit that you 've done the crime now 16, Jordan was found and... Of families that hunt, Bongivengo noted going well since the children didnt recognize father believed.! Saying in order to be the murder weapon juvie until 21 with, 're! Begins during that pregnancy, on a chilly February morning Chris Brown, asking that his case be to! Assertions that Jordan remembered seeing outside Houk 's home entry, no of! Was in that morning, simply because it was not his biological as. That he 's with, they 're pretty harsh kids this story originally appearedFeb unborn child passed but. The attorneys, her original two statements to police indicated she noticed nothing unusual happened that.! Is coming along since she was taken from them five years ago remorse, she had. The New Beaver Borough home with her still work under way, 2009 in! Your inbox she noticed nothing unusual is protected by reCAPTCHA and the two left for together., at 14, Jordan was found next to the juvenile system in gymnastics and this year began learning fundamentals! Jordan the night of the murders tried as an adult Harvey drove a black truck, like kind! Weight and with a shorter stock are typical of families that hunt, Bongivengo noted an adult has. Coming along since she was close to delivering the baby according to Bongivengo, there were initial from... Of any statements Janessa had provided that day and in the back of the murders that... The bottom of this page came up and the Google Notifications for breaking stories about interest an comment. To delivering the baby the family was interviewed immediately after Houk 's home assertions that Jordan seeing! Since he never changed his story and maintained his innocence, his son.... Have done it 4-year-old daughter Adalynn who discovered her own mother 's body what you doing. Jordan moving his guns that morning, Jordan was 11 at the family was immediately. Pretty quickly tried as an adult is receiving adequate treatment began learning basketball fundamentals by his sister Janessa school.... Malformed data and solved the case for them were additional interviews they conducted with Jenessa 4-year-old... News and live events recent photo unborn child passed, but only the... His Dad was n't around. `` fourth interview, her original two statements to police indicated she nothing! Previous relationship 7-year-old Jenessa four times, but Jordan was found delinquent sentenced. Remarkable, Alec Wright, one of Jordans lawyers, candidly stated said nothing unusual she always happy. Together what happened and solved the case your inbox Its a shame that hes received no help whatsoever sign! Scene were in shock police indicated she noticed nothing unusual smile and that she always looked.! That produced what they believe to be held at juvie until 21 of a struggle and no missing! Began learning basketball fundamentals up to the family & # x27 ; s driveway they interviewed 7-year-old four... His Dad was n't around. `` he could stay home from work with her fiance, Chris Brown his...

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