MILWAUKEE, WI – A Wisconsin teenager who was just 13 years old when he struck and killed a woman with her own vehicle during an attempted car theft was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision.
Jayden Adams, now 16, entered a guilty plea to charges of second-degree reckless homicide and taking a vehicle without consent in the death of 47-year-old Sunita Balogun. The crime occurred in October 2021 in a hotel parking lot where Balogun intervened as Adams and other teenagers tried to steal a car.
Court documents reveal Adams originally faced six felony charges, including first-degree reckless homicide and hit-and-run resulting in death. He was prosecuted as an adult in Milwaukee County, reflecting the serious nature of the fatal incident.
The tragic confrontation began when Balogun, noticing suspicious activity in the parking lot, confronted the group of teens attempting to steal a red Hyundai. According to testimony, she briefly left, then returned and exited her Jeep SUV to challenge the group again.
Statements from other teens involved describe the encounter escalating rapidly. After a verbal altercation, one teenager punched Balogun before Adams entered her Jeep. As Balogun struggled on the ground after being kicked, Adams reportedly ran her over with the SUV, causing fatal injuries.
Several of the teens fled the scene in the stolen vehicle, and Balogun was declared dead when first responders arrived. According to police interviews, Adams reportedly told friends, “I killed that lady,” after leaving the scene. None of the teens checked on Balogun before fleeing.
Law enforcement recovered the stolen Jeep the next day, as the investigation quickly identified the suspects through surveillance footage and statements from those involved. The teens confirmed they set out that night specifically looking to steal a vehicle.
Adams, who remained in custody throughout the legal proceedings, will receive credit for time already served. Milwaukee County Judge sentenced him to 25 years in total—15 years in prison and a decade of extended supervision upon release.
The case underscores both the escalating trend of juvenile involvement in violent crimes and the challenges faced by the justice system in balancing rehabilitation with public safety. The community has felt the impact of the loss of Balogun, remembered as someone who tried to protect others from harm.
According to legal experts, sentencing minors as adults remains a contentious issue but can be applied in Wisconsin for severe offenses such as homicide. Adams’ sentencing closes a chapter in a case that has drawn local attention for its troubling circumstances and consequences.