Peach Bottom teen sentenced to state prison for stabbing aunt while she was driving

The family and attorney of 15-year-old D'Andre Robert Jennings don't know what possessed him to stab a family member in the head earlier this year, but they're hoping the state prison system can connect the Peach Bottom teen with the help he needs.

Lancaster County President Judge David Ashworth on Monday sentenced Jennings to 2 1⁄2 to 6 years in state prison for the nonfatal stabbing of his aunt, whom he stabbed in the head while she was driving on Susquehannock Drive near Bethesda Church Road in Martic Township on Feb. 2.

The stabbing surprised his aunt, who swerved into oncoming traffic, according to the attorneys who worked on the case.

The aunt survived and told Pennsylvania State Police they had been listening to music in the car when Jennings attacked her. Jennings told police he "fell asleep, and started to have a panic attack and see red. He blacked out and woke up" when he heard screaming.

Jennings pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and two other charges.

"This is tragic," Jennings' public defender, John Churchvale, said. "The whole family is grieving."

Churchvale said the stabbing has left the family baffled. The aunt was not present in court, but Churchvale said she told him she hopes Jennings finds the help he needs in state prison in Camp Hill, where he will undergo mental health, drug and alcohol evaluations and take anger management classes.

Churchvale noted that his client was adopted. Jennings did not speak beyond acknowledging he understood the proceedings when Ashworth asked him. Churchvale said Jennings was terrified.

Ashworth addressed Jennings at the conclusion of the hearing, saying he had an opportunity to get his life in order. He told him he could go to prison and be bitter and refuse to grow or take advantage of the situation and try to get better.

Jennings told the judge he understood.