11-Year-Old Remains in Custody as Homicide Case Moves Slowly Through Court
An 11-year-old boy accused of killing his adoptive father remains in custody without bond as his court case continues to move through the early stages of the legal process in Duncannon, Pennsylvania.
Clayton Dietz was arrested on January 13, 2026, the same day his father, 42-year-old Douglas Dietz, was killed. He appeared for a preliminary arraignment later that evening. His preliminary hearing, initially scheduled for January 22, was continued and has now been postponed a second time. Court records show the hearing is currently set for February 19, 2026, before Richard C. Gibney.
Dietz remains confined without bond at the Perry County Prison while the case proceeds.
According to authorities, the shooting occurred inside the family’s home after Clayton’s Nintendo Switch was taken away and he was told to go to bed. Investigators allege the child located a key to a locked safe, accessed a handgun, loaded it, and shot Douglas Dietz while he was in bed. Court documents state that Clayton later told investigators, “I killed Daddy.”
Clayton Dietz has been charged with criminal homicide. Under Pennsylvania law, homicide charges are initially filed in adult court, even when the accused is a juvenile. The case may later be reviewed for possible transfer to juvenile court, though no public decision on that has been announced.
Because of Clayton’s age, many details remain limited, and the proceedings are expected to move slowly as the court considers competency evaluations and jurisdictional issues.
Neighbors described Douglas Dietz as a quiet, kind family man who lived on South Market Street with his wife and adopted son. Several said he had sung “Happy Birthday” to Clayton just hours before the fatal shooting. Friends and neighbors noted the family largely kept to themselves and said the loss has deeply shaken the tight-knit Perry County community.
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