Waived into adult court, supporters fear outcome for teen charged with attempted murder
- Jamie Duffy
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 22
FORT WAYNE, Ind. ---Essix Robinson is only 15 years old, yet shares the burden of his family on his slim shoulders.
He thought he’d found a safe place at an abandoned home in the 4400 block of Bowser Avenue.
But it wasn’t abandoned, only vacant.
On Aug. 23, 2025 while Essix, 14 at the time, was in the home with his brother Zy Rel,13, a man walked in to work on the home, according to three sources close to Essix.
There was a confrontation with Jorge Mendez-Cornejo. Both had guns, according to sources and both shot, with Robinson wounding Mendez-Cornejo. Zy Rel reportedly told sources close to The Probable Cause that Mendez-Cornejo shot first.
On Jan. 5, Essix was waived into adult court by Judge Brent Ecenbarger, the county’s juvenile judge. He was charged with attempted murder, a Felony 1 carrying a sentence of between 20 and 40 years, Felony 3 aggravated battery - posing a substantial risk of death with a potential sentence between three and 16 years with an advisory of nine years; and Felony 6 residential entry that carries a sentence of between six months and 2.5 years.
Essix appeared in Allen Superior Court Magistrate Samuel Keirns court Tuesday for a hearing. His attorney, Andrew Scheer, represented him. Both Scheer and attorney Megan Close have been retained.
In support of him were a former neighbor who teared up when she saw him sitting in the dock all by himself. She greeted Essix’s grandmother and aunt who conferred with Scheer.
All want to talk about the case, but are awaiting further developments.
One difficulty in covering juveniles accused of crimes such as these is the lack of information. Even though they are charged as adults, the probable cause affidavit is not available from the usual channels. It would be easy to give up on the story, only the family and those who care so deeply about this situation don’t want that to happen.
Essix was escaping a nightmare reality. He and his brother had shown up to school “with marks,” one school official told The Probable Cause.
Numerous letters were written to the Department of Child Services, she said. Another source, a former neighbor, said she called DCS to report their mistreatment.
“The system failed this boy,” is what they've said over and over again.
The home Essix thought was abandoned offered an oasis. And like 14 year olds tend to think, he laid plans to move there with his siblings to escape physical harm, sources said.
"Them two raised the other kids," one source said. There are three younger siblings.
The gun? It was his mother’s. She apparently didn’t know it was gone.
“I wish you could get hold of the police report from last August,” one source told The Probable Cause. “He told the officer he’d rather go to foster care than go home.”
Those who bang the same drum over and over with the refrain 'where are the parents?,' well, there’s your answer.
Essix has his next hearing scheduled for June 2 in front of Allen Superior Court Judge Fran Gull. His four-day trial is set to begin on July 7. Deputy Prosecutor Rachel Gschwend is representing the state.
According to Allen County jail demographics, Essex is one of two 15-year-olds in custody. There are 10 16-year-olds and eight 17-year-olds. All of them were at some point waived into adult custody although they don’t move into the adult jail until they turn 18, a jail spokesman said.
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