By Trendsetter Tribune 
NEW BLOOMFIELD, PA — In a somber and high-stakes court appearance on Thursday, February 19, 2026, 11-year-old Clayton Dietz was ordered to stand trial as an adult for the fatal shooting of his adoptive father. The boy, who arrived at the Perry County Courthouse in handcuffs and surrounded by probation officers, reportedly remained expressionless throughout the proceedings, which have sent shockwaves through the quiet borough of Duncannon.
The case centers on a tragic sequence of events that unfolded on the boy’s birthday—January 13, 2026—allegedly triggered by a dispute over a Nintendo Switch gaming console.
The Night of the Incident
According to court records and police testimony, the shooting occurred shortly after midnight, just hours after the family had celebrated Clayton’s birthday.
- The Celebration: The family had reportedly enjoyed a “good day,” which concluded with Douglas and Jillian Dietz singing “Happy Birthday” to their son at midnight.
- The Conflict: After being told it was time for bed and having his Nintendo Switch confiscated, Clayton allegedly became “blinded by rage.”
- The Weapon: The boy told investigators he found the key to the family’s gun safe in his father’s dresser drawer. While searching the safe for his gaming console, he instead found a revolver.
- The Shooting: Clayton admitted to loading the weapon, walking into his parents’ bedroom, and shooting his 42-year-old father, Douglas Dietz, in the head while he lay sleeping next to his wife.
“I Hate Myself”: The Aftermath
Jillian Dietz told authorities she woke to a loud noise and the smell of gunpowder. After finding her husband unresponsive and covered in blood, she encountered her son, who allegedly shouted, “Daddy’s dead!” and then admitted, “I killed my dad. I hate myself.”
State troopers at the scene also reported hearing the child tell his mother, “I killed Daddy.” When asked by investigators what he thought would happen when he pulled the trigger, the boy reportedly replied that he was “mad” and had “not thought about that.”
The Legal Battle: Adult vs. Juvenile Court
Under Pennsylvania law, a child charged with homicide is automatically processed through the adult criminal system. However, the defense can petition to “decertify” the case and move it to juvenile court.
| Party | Position / Strategy |
| The Prosecution | Argued that the gravity of the crime—a pre-planned execution of a sleeping victim—warrants the harsher penalties of the adult system. |
| The Defense | Attorney Dave Wilson stated his primary goal is to transfer the case to juvenile court, citing the boy’s age, psychological development, and family circumstances. |
| The Court | On Feb 19, the preliminary hearing was waived, and the case was “waived for court,” meaning it will proceed to the Court of Common Pleas. |
Current Status
Clayton Dietz is currently being held without bail at the Perry County Prison. If the case remains in adult court and he is convicted of first-degree murder, he could theoretically face life in prison, though the Supreme Court has previously limited such sentences for minors.
The community remains divided and in shock. Neighbors described the family as “kind” and “nice people” who mostly kept to themselves, making the violent birthday tragedy all the more inexplicable.