November 20, 2009
Mo. teen murder suspect sent to psych hospital
David LiebA teenager accused of killing a 9-year-old Missouri girl has been sent to a psychiatric hospital after her attorney said she showed signs of severe depression and anxiety.
A Cole County judge ordered 15-year-old Alyssa Bustamante to be taken to the Fulton State Hospital for up to 96 hours. The teenager had been held at the Morgan County jail since being indicted Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Authorities say Bustamante strangled, stabbed and cut the throat of Elizabeth Olten on Oct. 21 because she wanted to know what it felt like to kill. They say Bustamante led them to Elizabeth's body two days later in a wooded area near their homes in St. Martins, just west of Jefferson City.
The Associated Press