An eight-year-old boy charged with stabbing a 12-year-old boy in Kent County is probably the youngest person charged with a violent crime in west Michigan.

Police say the eight-year-old was arguing with some younger siblings when the older boy stepped in and the younger boy stabbed him.

The victim is in stable condition.

Kent County assistant prosecutor Vicki Seidl says the only way to get help and treatment for the boy is to charge him with the crime.