In 2007, Paris Lee Bennett—a 13‑year‑old boy from Abilene, Texas—committed a crime so brutal and calculated it shocked the nation. He murdered his 4‑year‑old sister, Ella Bennett, to emotionally destroy their mother. Here’s the full story: who he was, what drove him to such darkness, how his mother survived, and what life holds for him now.
Paris Bennett Profile Summary
| Category | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Paris Lee Bennett | Perpetrator of the murder |
| Age at Time of Crime | 13 years old | Committed sororicide in 2007 |
| Sister Victim | Ella Bennett (4 years old) | Stabbed 17 times in her sleep |
| Location | Abilene, Texas, U.S. | Home of the Bennett family |
| Motive | Revenge against his mother | Wanted to punish her by harming her children |
| Legal Outcome | Pleaded guilty to capital murder | Juvenile trial; sentenced to 40 years |
| Sentence | 40 years prison, parole eligibility in 2027 | Maximum juvenile sentence in Texas |
| Current Location | Ferguson Unit, Midway, Texas prison | Transferred to adult facility at 18 |
Early Life & Family Background
Paris was born to Charity Lee in Texas. Charity herself had a traumatic upbringing—her mother, Paris’s grandmother, faced charges in the 1980s for allegedly conspiring to kill her husband, though she was acquitted. Charity struggled with drug addiction from a young age, and eventually experienced a relapse around 2006.
Despite these challenges, Paris was bright—scoring very high IQ and placed in gifted programs. But when his younger sister Ella was born in 2002, Paris veered into jealousy and emotional turmoil as he perceived her as draining his mother’s attention and affection.
The Murder of Ella Bennett
On February 4, 2007, Charity left Ella and Paris at home with a babysitter while she worked late. Around 10 p.m., Paris convinced the sitter to leave, claiming he could watch his sister. Before 11:30 p.m., he entered Ella’s bedroom, sexually assaulted, choked, and stabbed her 17 times while she slept.
Afterward, he calmly called a friend for six minutes before dialing 911. He initially described seeing Ella as a demon and claimed he stabbed her to save the world. He then mimicked CPR instructions while pacing around.
When authorities arrived, Ella was dead. Paris was arrested and soon confessed to the murder, saying he intended to hurt his mother emotionally through this act.
Trial, Diagnosis & Sentence
Paris was charged with capital murder under juvenile court. Because he was under 14, he wasn’t eligible for the death penalty and received the maximum juvenile sentence—40 years in prison, with parole possible in 2027 or release by 2047.
Psychologists evaluated him and determined he met criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder, scoring 38/40 on the Psychopathy Checklist—a high indicator of psychopathic traits like lack of empathy, lying, and harmful behavior.
Aftermath & Charity Lee’s Story
Charity Lee endured unimaginable grief. In public writings and the documentary The Family I Had, she described Ella’s final moments and Paris’s disturbing behavior—slow, controlled, and devoid of remorse. She realized her son was a psychopath, but still loved him deeply.
Initially, Charity maintained contact and visited Paris in prison. She even founded The ELLA Foundation, focused on supporting families affected by violence and mental illness. Yet, after learning Paris started a relationship in prison, she ceased visitation to protect herself and her younger son, Phoenix, who was born in 2013.
Experts recommended she relocate after Paris’s eventual parole. She ultimately decided to sever contact, saying:
“I can still love him as my son—but dislike the man he has become.”
Current Status & Parole Outlook
Paris has served 14 years and is eligible for parole in February 2027, when he’ll be 33. If parole is denied, he remains in prison until February 2047. Many experts and observers doubt he can ever be safely released, due to his psychopathic traits and lack of visible remorse or rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Paris kill his sister?
A: To emotionally punish his mother—he believed that losing a child would hurt her more than killing her directly.
Q: How many times was Ella stabbed?
A: She was stabbed 17 times after being choked and abused.
Q: What was Paris charged with?
A: Capital murder in juvenile court. He pleaded guilty and received a 40-year sentence.
Q: Is Paris a psychopath?
A: Psychologists diagnosed him with high psychopathy traits—score of 38/40. He met criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder/sociopathy.
Q: Did Charity Lee forgive him?
A: Initially yes, and she maintained contact. However, due to ongoing concerns, she later ended visitation and relocated to protect herself and her younger son.
Q: When can Paris possibly be released?
A: He’s first eligible for parole in February 2027. Without parole, his release date is February 2047.
Conclusion:
Paris Bennett’s case is a disturbing example of deep-seated emotional damage, psychopathy, and vengeance realized through the most tragic act. His sister’s life was stolen not in a moment of rage, but as part of a plan to inflict lasting emotional trauma on their mother. Charity Lee’s journey—surviving trauma, advocating, then stepping away—adds layers of human resilience and heartbreak.