LANCASTER, Calif.—Lonnie Liner, the 16-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing his 11-year-old cousin, Dahlia Lenaris, and critically wounding her 14-year-old sister in a Littlerock home, pleaded not guilty last Thursday at the Antelope Valley Superior Court. He has been charged with one count each of murder and attempted murder.

Lenaris, whose throat was slashed, was pronounced dead by paramedics sent to the home in the 10300 block of East Avenue R-14 about 7:45 a.m. Aug. 3.

If convicted, Liner could face a maximum of a two life sentences in prison. Bail is set for $2.04 million.

Detective Bill Marsh, one of two lead investigators in the case, said this particular murder is especially “unusual and tragic.”

“This is one of the worse (cases), meaning the family ties makes it one of the worst. We’re talking about cousins,” Marsh said. “All murders are terrible. I don’t like to place them on a hierarchy, but this was extremely difficult to understand in many ways. There is no logic behind it.”

According to Marsh, Liner was under the care of his maternal grandmother, at the time of the crime. His biological mother is deceased. A motive has not been released, pending further investigation and trial. The family commented early in the investigation that there were no signs Liner displayed that would indicate this sort of behavior was possible.

James Monahan, associate criminal justice professor at University of New Haven and clinical psychologist, says a number of factors may have contributed to Liner’s actions. He said that it is extremely rare that a child would murder another child, let alone a relative in this way.

“I put no faith into families who say, ‘Well, we didn’t see any signs of this coming.’ It’s extremely difficult to look objectively into your own family,” explained the Connecticut professor, adding that the teen needs to be evaluated by a mental health professional.

Monahan suggested the death of his mother may have factored into the equation, however, due to the lack of undisclosed information surrounding the case, only professional speculation can be made.

“The other thing is, I have no idea of what his diet is like. Oftentimes, kids who ingest too much sugar are prone to impulsive acts,” the professor explained.

Monahan also asserted that a possible factor could be that a family member sexually or physically abused Liner.

“I think of regardless of what happens in the future, this is going to devastate the family, certainly his own relatives,” he said. “I would probably suggest, when it comes to prison or if he is sent to a mental hospital, the other family members be afforded some sort of counseling to get through this emotionally.”

Det. Marsh said a psychological evaluation is possible, but that is up to the defense to carry out the action. Liner’s public defender, Rosario Corona, has not returned calls regarding the case.

City News Service contributed to this story.