Friend charged after Illinois teen girl’s mom shot to death

STERLING, Ill. – Charges have been filed against a 15-year-old northern Illinois girl accused of helping conceal her friend’s killing of her mother.

The (Sterling) Daily Gazette reports the teen made her initial court appearance Tuesday on charges of arson and concealing a homicidal death. The girl was helping her 15-year-old friend, who is charged with first-degree murder among other counts, in the death of her 53-year-old mother, Peggy S. Schroeder of Morrison.

Police say Schroeder’s body was found in a burning home July 8 in the city about 130 miles (209 kilometres) west of Chicago. Authorities say Schroeder’s 15-year-old daughter shot her in the head and tried to conceal the body by setting the house on fire.

The attorney for the daughter’s friend didn’t immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.

Both girls are in custody. They are scheduled to return to court Aug. 29.

___

Information from: The Daily Gazette, http://www.saukvalley.com