SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WI — A 15-year-old has been charged as an adult with first-degree intentional homicide after authorities allege he strangled his grandmother in her home, leading to her death days later. The case has rattled the South Milwaukee community and calls attention to Wisconsin’s strict laws allowing minors to be prosecuted as adults in severe criminal cases.
Edward Barbara remains in custody following his initial court appearance, which took place via video conference. Prosecutors allege that on August 27, Barbara fatally strangled his 68-year-old grandmother, Elizabeth Totsky, in the residence they shared on Oak Street. According to officials, Barbara himself called emergency services after the incident.
Police responded to the distress call shortly after 2 p.m. that day and found Totsky on the kitchen floor, with paramedics attempting life-saving interventions. Authorities say Totsky briefly regained a pulse and was taken to a nearby hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries four days later.
In court, the presiding commissioner acknowledged the difficult circumstances and the defendant’s age, but emphasized that Wisconsin law dictates that serious crimes, such as the charges Barbara faces, must be tried in adult court. State statutes place children as young as 10 into adult court for the most severe offenses, including first-degree intentional homicide.
According to the criminal complaint, Barbara initially told police that his grandmother had collapsed after suffering a seizure while they were preparing food. He claimed only the two of them were at home. However, an autopsy determined that Totsky’s cause of death was strangulation, with multiple neck injuries discovered.
Investigators spoke with Totsky’s husband, who described living at the residence with his wife, Barbara, and another grandson. He and the other family member had left for work early on August 27, returning only after being notified of an emergency. Doorbell camera footage from the property confirmed there were no other visitors that day until first responders arrived.
During their inquiry, detectives learned of a previous incident two months prior in which Barbara allegedly choked his grandmother from behind, rendering her unconscious before she came to and found him standing over her. The earlier altercation was recounted by Totsky’s husband, who had come home to find Totsky visibly shaken.
After initially repeating his story about a medical episode in the kitchen, Barbara reportedly confessed to the act when confronted with the autopsy results. He told investigators he had put his arm and elbow around his grandmother’s neck from behind and held her in a chokehold. He reportedly released his grip after being struck once in the head and noticing she was no longer moving.
The court set bail at $100,000 and ordered Barbara not to have contact with his family while awaiting further proceedings. Barbara’s lawyer argued for a lower bail, citing his family ties and lack of flight risk, but that request was denied.
Wisconsin is one of just three states with statutes mandating that all 17-year-olds charged with criminal offenses be prosecuted as adults. In Barbara’s case, state law supersedes age for the charges he now faces.
Barbara is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on September 17, as the case continues to work its way through the legal system. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison.