13-year-old charged in death of Gouverneur girl; home visited by police several times

GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. (WWNY) - A 13 year old girl was charged with murder in the death of a Gouverneur girl.

The otherwise unidentified suspect was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 18 year old Treyanna Summerville, whose identity was released at a news conference Tuesday morning.

District Attorney Gary Pasqua said the suspect was arraigned in St. Lawrence County Court’s Youth Part Monday afternoon. Youth Parts are for people who are underage.

He told 7 News after the news conference that the suspect is a 13 year old girl and that she will be held in a facility controlled by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Pasqua wouldn’t comment whether Summerville’s death was the result of a domestic incident. Neighbors say Treyanna Summerville lived at 135 Rowley Street with her mother and a younger sister.

According to Gouverneur Police Chief Laurina Greenhill, village police were called to the home multiple times over the last 7 years for a variety of issues including child abuse and neglect

She said they responded to the home 16 times, but the department has 25 total reports relating to members of the family.

Greenhill said the very first call police responded to was a child abuse/neglect complaint on March 28, 2013.

Since that time, Greenhill said were other calls to village police involving the family. The calls included child abuse/neglect, welfare checks, domestics, juvenile runaway, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief.

Treyanna Summerville called the village police once on January 4 of this year to report a missing juvenile, Greenhill said.

It’s unclear what other agencies were involved in the various complaints to police. 7 News is working to obtain that information.

In a statement, Pasqua said, “If you have any information or tips for law enforcement please call your local police agency or the State Police to report relevant information, anonymously or otherwise, so that appropriate action may be taken.”

He wouldn’t comment on whether there could be further arrests, but said the investigation is ongoing.

“This investigation is not done,” Pasqua said. “The state police continue to work on the investigation. There will be many more people interviewed regarding the entire situation revolving around this victim.”

Pasqua did not disclose the cause of Summerville’s death, but said an autopsy was performed Tuesday afternoon in Albany.

State police spent all day Monday investigating the Gouverneur High School senior’s death at her Rowley Street home. The first 911 call came in at 3 a.m.

Authorities didn’t immediately release her name. They were waiting until they could notify her father of her death.

Before then, her identity was widely shared among the community. A vigil was held for her at Gouverneur Village Park Monday evening.

People at the vigil painted a tragic tale of the victim. Many said she had displayed obvious signs of abuse for years.

“There were signs that this girl was in distress,” Gouverneur resident Kayla D’Agostino said, “and many people reached out to try to get her help.”

Meanwhile in a Facebook post, Gouverneur school officials said counselors are available to students, parents, and school personnel. People are asked to call 315-287-1900 to schedule a virtual appointment.

This is a developing story. We will add details as they become available.

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