BANNING (KTLA) -- Three 13-year-old boys have been arrested in the Inland Empire, after police say they admitted to raping a girl in a park playground as she was walking home from school.
Police say it happened Monday evening at Roosevelt Williams park in the city of Banning. The attack occurred just blocks from Nicolet Middle School, where the 13-year-old victim and her attackers are all students.
Authorities say the three boys grabbed the girl, fondled her and then forced her onto a playground set. That's where two of the boys held her down while the third raped her, according to police.
The girl reported the attack to school officials on Tuesday, and identified her attackers to them.
Police questioned all three boys on Wednesday, and arrested them on Thursday. Investigators say all three have admitted to the attack.
They are now being held in juvenile custody. The case is going to the Riverside district attorney's office and probation department, where officials will decide whether to try the boys as adults.
The girl was taken to an area hospital to be treated for injuries, including scratches on her face and bruises, according to the victim's cousin.
The Banning police chief says this is a traumatic incident for any child to go through, and he's hoping the girl will be able to get counseling and proper care.
-- Edited by Molta (RADIO MOD) on Sunday 13th of February 2011 0640 AM
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