Boy, 10, 'was only trying to hurt 90-year-old'

A 10-year-old US boy who allegedly killed a 90-year-old woman with a walking stick told police that he was "only trying to hurt her".

Tristen Kurilla has been charged with criminal homicide as an adult after he allegedly killed Helen Novak during a visit to his grandfather in Tyler Hill, Pennsylvania. Tristen told police he had walked into Ms Novak's room to ask a question about 10am on Saturday but became angry when she yelled at him to leave, the Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

Police said Tristen grabbed a wooden cane and hooked it around Ms Novak's neck for four to five seconds, before punching her in the throat and stomach several times.

An hour later Tristen's grandfather found her unresponsive and called 911.

The boy has been charged as an adult for criminal homicide because that crime is "specifically excluded from the juvenile act".

He is currently being held in Wayne County Prison.