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Mom breaks silence after son, 11, ‘kills her husband in his sleep for taking Nintendo Switch on his birthday’
The mother of an 11-year-old boy accused of shooting his father while he slept has spoken out for the first time.
Clayton Dietz remains in adult custody in Perry County, Pennsylvania, charged with homicide in connection with the death of his adoptive father, Douglas Dietz, 54.
The shooting happened in the early morning hours of January 13, 2026, the same day Clayton turned 11.
According to court documents obtained by The Sun, the preteen became upset after his Nintendo Switch was taken away and he was told to go to bed.
Officials allege that Clayton later searched for the gaming console, found a key to his father’s gun safe in a drawer, unlocked it, and discovered a revolver.
Authorities claim he loaded the weapon and shot Douglas as he slept in his bed. After the gun went off, he allegedly told his mother, Jillian Dietz: “I killed my dad. I hate myself.”
Speaking exclusively to the outlet, Jillian said she is inconsolable: “I’ve lost both my husband and my son. I cannot even wrap my head around it,” she said. “I will say this... my husband was the most amazing, incredible man. We were together for 11 years.”
The grieving widow told police that on the night of the tragedy, she and her husband had sung “Happy Birthday” to their son before everyone went to bed.
She said she later woke to a loud noise and thought she smelled fireworks. When she nudged her husband, he didn’t respond.
She then heard what sounded like dripping water, only to realize his blood was seeping through the sheets.
Police officers rushed to the home at approximately 3:20AM, and reportedly found Clayton screaming and his father fatally wounded.
Per the affidavit obtained by WGAL 8, authorities asked the boy what he thought would happen when he pulled the trigger, and allegedly responded that he “was mad” and he “had not thought about that.”
Court Appearance And Adult Charges
Clayton appeared before a judge on Thursday, February 19, waiving his right to a preliminary hearing, per Fox News.
The 11-year-old, handcuffed as cops led him in and out of the courtroom, briefly stumbled as he approached the judge while wearing a black hoodie.
At one point, he reportedly complained to his mother that his handcuffs were too tight, WHP alleged.
Under Pennsylvania law, children facing homicide charges are automatically tried as adults before a decertification hearing.
Clayton’s attorney, Dave Wilson, told local outlets his “goal” is to get his client “into juvenile court," cited by PEOPLE.
Although no new hearing date has been set, Wilson anticipates they will return to court in May.
If convicted as an adult, Clayton could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Jillian’s best friend, Raechal Stepp, described the horrific incident as “tragic,” and emphasized that Clayton had never been in foster care and was officially adopted by Douglas and Jillian in 2018.
Douglas also had older children from a previous marriage.
“Her husband may be gone, but her son is still here, and she loves him very much despite everything. He’s a child,” Raechal said. “All I can really say is Doug was a sweet soul. I didn’t know him as well as I would have liked to, but I do know that he loved my best friend with all his heart.
“He was always very hard working, funny, and very laid back...He showed Jill what real love was like; he loved her unconditionally, and he was a great dad to Clayton," she continued. “They always showed up for him and fought for him. Jill is an amazing woman.”
She added: “Unfortunately, this could happen to anybody in the blink of an eye, and in one second anybody’s world could be completely shattered. I’m looking forward to this moving to juvenile court.”
In a Facebook post, Raechal told her followers that her best friend needs "compassion, grace, and prayer - not judgment".
“Bad things can happen to good people. Life can take devastating turns without warning. I know this firsthand," she said. “What matters is that a wife has lost her husband, a mother is hurting for her child, and a family is brokenhearted.
"Please choose kindness. Please choose compassion. And please keep this family covered in prayer," she concluded.