A Wisconsin teenager, Jayden Adams, was sentenced to decades in prison after he caused the death of 47-year-old Sunita Balogun in a tragic incident. The crime occurred in October 2021, when Adams, along with four other teenagers, tried to steal a vehicle from a hotel parking lot. The situation escalated when Balogun attempted to stop them, leading to her tragic death.
The Incident and What Happened
Jayden Adams, who was only 13 years old at the time, was one of the five teenagers who tried to steal a car from a hotel parking lot. Balogun, who was a victim of the attempted car theft, noticed the group and tried to intervene. As she parked her vehicle to confront the teens, the situation turned violent.
According to a statement from one of the other teenagers involved, Adams and his friends were planning to steal a car that night. When they were caught in the act by Balogun, she confronted them. In the ensuing altercation, one of the teens punched Balogun in the face, knocking her to the ground. Adams then took control of her Jeep SUV, kicking the door into her face and running over her head as she lay on the ground.
The Aftermath of the Crime
After running over Balogun, Adams and his friends quickly fled the scene. When questioned by his friends, Adams admitted to what he had done, saying, “I killed that lady.” In the following investigation, another teenager admitted that they never checked on Balogun, even as it became clear that she had died from the injuries sustained in the incident.
Balogun’s Jeep was found the next day, but the tragedy had already unfolded, leaving the community in shock. Balogun had been pronounced dead at the scene, and her family was left to cope with the heartbreaking loss.
Jayden Adams Faces Justice
Adams, who had initially faced multiple felony charges including first-degree reckless homicide, pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide and taking a vehicle without consent. He was tried as an adult and sentenced to 15 years in prison, along with an additional 10 years of extended supervision. This sentence took into account the time Adams had already served while awaiting trial.
The tragic death of Sunita Balogun has left an indelible mark on the community. Jayden Adams, whose actions led to the loss of an innocent life, now faces the consequences of his reckless behavior. The case highlights the dangers of juvenile crime and the severe impacts such decisions can have, not only on the victims but on the lives of those involved in the crime.
