District Court judge transfers sexual abuse charge against 16-year-old to Juvenile Court

CEDAR RAPIDS - A District Court judge ruled Monday that a 16-year-old boy, charged with sexually abusing a 4-year-old boy, will be waived back to Juvenile Court, and the teen will likely be sent to the Iowa State Training School for Boys in Eldora.

Skylar Simon Fisher, 16, of Cedar Rapids, was charged in January with second-degree sexual abuse in Linn County District Court. He was accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old child, and the act was observed by a witness, the criminal complaint shows.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Besler initially argued against waiving the case back to Juvenile Court because Fisher will turn 17 in October, and since he could only stay at the training school until age 18, there wouldn't be enough time for rehabilitation. However, Besler said he was withdrawing his resistance to the waiver because Fisher now admits to the sexual abuse, so services and treatment can immediately start once he is transferred in Juvenile Court.

During the hearing, Besler said that if Fisher changed his mind and doesn't admit to the offense during the juvenile delinquency proceeding, then the state will ask the court to transfer the case back to adult court.  

After the hearing, Besler added that he also agreed to the waiver after learning of Fisher's background and mental health challenges.

6th Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady said waiving the case to Juvenile Court would provide Fisher with the services he needs to rehabilitate.

A Juvenile Court date for a delinquency proceeding hasn't yet been set.

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