News Summary
A 15-year-old boy in South Milwaukee has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide after the death of his 68-year-old grandmother. Authorities allege he strangled her during an incident at her home. Despite initially claiming she collapsed from a seizure, an autopsy revealed strangulation as the cause of death. The teen now faces serious legal repercussions, including the possibility of life imprisonment, as he is charged in adult court. The case raises concerns about juvenile violence and its legal implications.
South Milwaukee – A 15-year-old boy, Edward Barbara, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide following the death of his grandmother, Elizabeth Totsky, aged 68. Authorities filed the charges in adult court where, if convicted, Barbara faces the possibility of life imprisonment.
The incident took place on August 27 at approximately 2:15 p.m. at Totsky’s home located on the 1700 block of Oak Street. Emergency responders found Totsky unresponsive on the kitchen floor and temporarily revived her pulse before transporting her to a local hospital.
Initially, Barbara called 911 and claimed that Totsky collapsed from a seizure while they were preparing eggs together. However, Totsky succumbed to her injuries and passed away on August 31, with an autopsy later revealing that she died from strangulation. The autopsy also indicated multiple injuries to her neck consistent with such an act.
Incident Details
Barbara’s step-grandfather had reported a prior incident two months before the fatal event, in which Barbara allegedly choked Totsky, rendering her unconscious. Additionally, a doorbell camera found at the residence confirmed that no one else had entered or exited the home during the critical timeframe surrounding the incident.
Investigation Findings
During the investigation, Barbara initially provided a different account of the events. However, upon being confronted with the autopsy results, he confessed to strangling Totsky for an estimated five minutes. According to the confession, the struggle involved Totsky hitting Barbara in the head before he released his grip once her body became limp.
Court Proceedings
Barbara has been ordered to have no contact with any family members as the case moves forward. Court Commissioner Barry Phillips set a bail amount of $100,000, labeling the allegations as “almost unbelievable” and “unconscionable.” Under Wisconsin law, children as young as ten years old can be charged as adults for serious crimes, including homicide.
Furthermore, Barbara has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, a fact brought to light by Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Caroline Pellegrini. The next court appearance for Barbara is scheduled for September 17 for a preliminary hearing.
Background Context
This tragic case highlights the severe implications of youth violence and the legal ramifications in the state of Wisconsin, where the law allows minors to face adult charges for serious offenses. As the judicial system proceeds with this case, community members and family will be watching closely, as the repercussions of such actions echo far beyond the courtroom.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Marquette University Mourns Loss of Two Students in Tragic Crash
South Milwaukee Police Arrest Teen for Grandmother’s Death
15-Year-Old Boy Accused of Strangling Grandmother in South Milwaukee
15-Year-Old Boy Charged with Homicide in South Milwaukee
15-Year-Old Arrested for Homicide in South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee: 15-Year-Old Arrested for Homicide
Additional Resources
- WISN: Boy, 15, Charged with Homicide
- JSONLINE: South Milwaukee Teen Charged
- FOX6: South Milwaukee Teen Charged in Grandmother’s Death
- TMJ4: South Milwaukee Teen Charged with Murder
- TMJ4: 15-Year-Old Arrested in Homicide
- Wikipedia: Violence in the United States
- Google Search: Youth Violence
- Google Scholar: Youth Violence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime
- Google News: Homicide Wisconsin
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
