A man who unlawfully entered a residence and stabbed an 11-year-old girl dropped to his knees and pleaded for forgiveness during his sentencing for the brutal act.
Ricardo Perez Castillo, a recruiter for the US Marine Corps, forcibly entered a home on Ella Terrace Court in Rockford, Illinois, in the early hours of June 15, 2024. After entering the home, he armed himself with a knife and proceeded to undress. Subsequently, Castillo, aged 25, went upstairs and entered the room where two children were sleeping.
He then mounted one of the girls and proceeded to stab her multiple times in an attack described by the victim as “terrifying.” Castillo, now facing sentencing, directly asked for the girl’s forgiveness, citing a newfound connection with religion.
Castillo entered a plea of no contest to charges of assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, and second-degree assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct according to the Kent County Prosecutor’s office. Last week, Judge Christina Mims sentenced Castillo to 40 years in prison, likening the crime to scenes from a horror film.
In a statement to People Magazine, Kent County chief assistant prosecutor Elizabeth Bartlett revealed that Castillo initially believed he was targeting the young girl’s neck during the attack.
According to Bartlett, Castillo stated to the police that he believed stabbing the 11-year-old in the neck would be the easiest way to kill her. Additionally, he expressed intentions to harm the entire family. When asked about why he removed his clothing, Castillo chillingly confessed that he had considered engaging in sexual acts with the girl after her death.
During a victim impact statement presented in court, the young girl described the intense pain she experienced and the fear she felt during the incident. Castillo, after his sentencing, sought forgiveness, acknowledging his wrongdoings and expressing remorse for the distress caused to the victims, their families, and the community of Rockford.