An Alberta provincial court judge has sentenced a 13 year old boy to three years in an intensive rehabilitation program after he pleaded guilty to attempting to kill his younger brother in a violent attack last summer.

Court heard the boy was 12 years old when he repeatedly stabbed his seven year old brother inside the family’s Lethbridge home in August. Police initially responded to reports that an unknown man had entered the residence and assaulted the child before fleeing. Investigators later determined the suspect was the older sibling.

The youth admitted to attempted murder in earlier proceedings. Because he was under the age of 18 at the time of the offence, his identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

During sentencing submissions, the Crown prosecutor said the intensive rehabilitative custody and supervision order is reserved for the most serious violent offences and is typically applied in cases involving young people with significant mental health concerns. The program combines custody with structured treatment and supervision in the community.

The case has drawn attention in southern Alberta due to the severity of the offence and the rare use of the intensive rehabilitation provision, which is designed to balance public safety with the rehabilitation of young offenders.