Milwaukee, WI — A Wisconsin teenager who killed a woman with her own vehicle during an attempted car theft has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by 10 years of extended supervision.
Jayden Adams, now 16, pleaded guilty this week to second-degree reckless homicide and taking a vehicle without consent for his role in the death of 47-year-old Sunita Balogun. Adams was just 13 years old when the incident occurred in October 2021.
According to court records, Adams was part of a group of teenagers who went to a hotel parking lot with the intention of stealing a car. As they attempted to take a red Hyundai, Balogun, who was driving a Jeep SUV, intervened. She parked her vehicle and confronted the group.
Witnesses told police that after a brief argument, one of the teens punched Balogun in the face, causing her to fall to the ground. Adams then got into Balogun’s Jeep, kicked the door into her face, and ran her over, fatally striking her head.
The group fled the scene in the stolen SUV, with Adams allegedly telling his friends, “I killed that lady,” according to the criminal complaint.
Balogun’s vehicle was recovered the following day. Adams was later identified through surveillance footage and witness statements. He was tried as an adult.
Adams initially faced six felony charges, including first-degree reckless homicide and hit-and-run resulting in death, but ultimately pleaded guilty to reduced charges as part of a plea agreement.
He received credit for time served and will remain under supervision for a decade following his release.
