17-Year Old Charged With Murder of Teen Who Was Beaten to Death

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - A 17-year-old boy from Chicago Heights has been charged with first degree murder in the beating death of 17-year-old Melanie Valencia, who authorities say was assaulted and killed outside a Chicago Heights home on Schilling Avenue last week.

The charge against the boy was approved by the Cook County State's Attorney Office Tuesday night, according to Chicago Heights Police Chief Thomas Rogers. He was arrested in the 100 block of East 22nd Street and will appear at a bond hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Markham Courthouse.

Valencia was found in the 1400 block of Schilling Avenue Feb. 22 "alongside the residence rear fence line," according to police. After efforts by paramedics to revive her failed, she was pronounced dead at 9:44 p.m.

Initial reports indicated Valencia had been stabbed to death. An autopsy later confirmed the death as a homicide, the result of multiple injuries.

Related: Teen Girl Beaten to Death in Chicago Heights: Coroner