Teen certified as adult in alleged hit-and-run case

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A 16-year-old boy, charged with running over and killing a woman who confronted him about his driving, has been certified to stand trial as an adult.

The Jackson County Prosecutor's office said Thursday that Federico Cantu, of Kansas City, was certified on Monday.

Cantu is charged with one felony count each of involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an injury accident.

Cantu was interviewed shortly after Bee Etta Harkins, 49, was run over late on the night of June 18. She died of her injuries early the next day.

Harkins, 49, of Cleveland, Mo., had come to Kansas City to help find homes for displaced cats.

Witnesses said she saw Cantu speeding and squealing his tires repeatedly as he circled the block where her son lived, and went into the street to confront him.

Police said Harkins was either knocked or climbed onto the hood of the car Cantu was driving.

Prosecutors allege that Cantu then began hitting the brakes to knock Harkins off the hood. She fell off and was run over.

The car was abandoned a block away from the scene; its owner told police she did not give Cantu permission to drive it.