The Mishawaka teenager who prosecutors say stabbed his mother and two dogs said he was defending himself from Satan.

Officers were called, Friday morning, Aug. 25, to the home on Oakside Avenue and found the mother stabbed more than a dozen times to her face, neck, and head. She also suffered a collapsed lung. One of the dogs was seriously wounded and underwent surgery and a blood transfusion. Caden Rutledge, 16, has been charged with attempted murder, battery, and two counts of mutilating an animal.

Medics responded and transported the mother to Memorial Hospital. She was found to have approximately thirteen stab wounds – primarily to her face, neck, and head. The woman also suffered a collapsed lung.

On the scene, officers were advised the suspect, Caden Rutledge, 16, remained inside the Oakside Avenue residence. Rutledge could be seen through the windows, shirtless, with what appeared to be blood on his hands.

Rutledge was ordered out of the house. He complied and came outside. He was ordered to the ground. As Rutledge was being placed into handcuffs he stated something along the lines of, “I understand. I look like a murderer.”

During a protective sweep of the house, officers observed blood throughout the home and located a knife on a table.

They also located two dogs in the house who had also been stabbed. The Human Society was contacted and transported to dogs from the scene for care.

The mother stated that Rutledge stabbed her with a knife and possibly a piece of broken glass. Rutledge took her cell phone from her to prevent her from calling for help. She was ultimately able to get Rutledge’s phone and call 911. She then escaped and ran to her neighbors.

Officers also spoke with the victim’s sister, who stated that the victim called her and had her come over around 1 a.m. due to her son’s behavior. When she arrived, Rutledge accused her of being a demon. Rutledge grabbed her. She was able to pray with him and get him to calm down. She said that she left around 5 a.m. Rutledge was transported to the Mishawaka Police Department.

After conferring privately with his grandmother, Rutledge was advised of his Miranda rights, and he agreed to speak with officers.

Rutledge stated that he attacked the dogs because he had been manipulated by Satan. He said that demonic souls are all able to be saved. If they do not repent, they burn in hell. He said his aunt had a demon in her soul. He said that she was trying to manipulate him into
believing that his mother was a demon and that Jesus was not real. In his opinion, his aunt was trying to use him as a weapon against his mother. He believed that he had to kill the demon in his mother. He believed that stabbing his mother was the right thing to do. Rutledge admitted to stabbing his mother, saying, “I tried to eliminate her.”

As a result of these actions, the Prosecutor’s Office has charged Rutledge with the following:

• Count I: Attempted Murder, a Level 1 Felony
• Count II: Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 Felony
• Count III: Torturing or Mutilating a Vertebrate Animal, a Level 6 Felony
• Count IV: Torturing or Mutilating a Vertebrate Animal, a Level 6 Felony
• Count V: Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon
• Count VI: Battery a Class B Misdemeanor

The sentencing range for a level 1 felony is 20-40 years.
The sentencing range for a level 3 felony is 3-16 years.
The sentencing range for a level 6 felony is 6 months to 2.5 years.
The sentencing range for a class B misdemeanor is 0-180 days.

Rutledge is currently being held without bond at the St. Joseph County Jail.