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Two Teens Charged In Death Of Ty'kerria Dawson, Maryland Teen Found Dead Along Trail In Frederick

FREDERICK, Md. (WJZ) -- A 14-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy are charged in the death of 17-year-old Ty'kerria Dawson. Dawson, of Hagerstown, was found dead along a Frederick trail over the weekend.

Police arrested Richard Eugene Cartnail, III, and Caliyah Dawnae Lobaugh, both of Frederick, on Wednesday. Both are charged as adults with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

Dawson murder suspects
14-year-old Caliyah Dawnae Lobaugh (left) and 16-year-old Richard Eugene Cartnail, III, (right) are charged in Ty'kerria Dawson's death.

Both are being held without bond following a court appearance on Thursday. A judge deemed them flight risks.

Cartnail and Lobaugh are set to appear in court later this month.

Dawson's body was found around 5 p.m. Saturday in a wooded area located behind Briargrove Court. She would have turned 18 on June 28 and recently graduated from Antietam Academy in Hagerstown.

Charging documents said Dawson, "had gunshot wounds to her head and a large laceration on her forehead."

The documents also said Cartnail, Lobaugh and Dawson were all at Cartnail's home the night before she died.

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Taylor Clarke with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office called the case a tragedy.

"It's certainly a sad situation," Clarke said. "Our investigators have worked really hard on this case for the past few days and it's certainly affected everyone. The ages involved here are incredibly sad."

Ty'kerria Dawson
Ty'kerria Dawson. Photo provided.

WJZ spoke exclusively with Cartnail's mother, Yvette Jackson. She said she does not believe he would have killed her.

Jackson said Cartnail and Dawson had been dating for several months.

"That boy would never do that. He would try to protect her every time she runs into a crisis," she said.

She also added she hasn't been able to speak with her son since his arrest.

"I just pray to God that I can get him the help. That's all I can say," she said.

Jackson added she's now mourning not only for her son but for Dawson.

"I loved that little girl. I took her in my home. I even took her on vacation three weeks ago because she graduated," she said.

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