Springfield teen accused of stabbing mom more than 100 times, according to court officials

Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal- Register
Updated ·2 min read

A Springfield teenager formally charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his adoptive mother on the north side of Springfield early Saturday morning pleaded not guilty in Sangamon County court on Monday.

Jonathan Long, 16, appeared in court in a white jumpsuit and was handcuffed. He sat with John Dixon, the assistant Sangamon County public defender.

Long was additionally charged with aggravated domestic battery.

Springfield Police confirmed the stabbing death of a 51-year-old woman at a house on Shadow Fax Drive in the Twin Lakes subdivision on the city's northside early on June 29, 2024.
Springfield Police confirmed the stabbing death of a 51-year-old woman at a house on Shadow Fax Drive in the Twin Lakes subdivision on the city's northside early on June 29, 2024.

More: 16-year-old arrested in fatal stabbing of his mother in Springfield

Under Illinois law, once a person reaches the age of 16, there is an automatic transfer to adult court for certain charges, including first-degree murder.

In Monday's court proceeding, Sangamon County Assistant State's Attorney Kendra Hansel alleged Long stabbed Misty Long, 51, over 100 times in her face, neck, abdomen, arms and legs.

The two shared a home in the 3000 block of Shadow Fax Drive in Twin Lakes subdivision.

As the defense sought Long's release under the pre-trial fairness act, Hansel detailed that three 911 calls were made from inside the home, two initiated by the teenager.

During one of those calls, Hansel said it was apparent Misty Long was struggling with her son and pleading with him "to stop stabbing her. As she was screaming, Mr. Long is still stabbing her."

Misty Long was taken to Springfield Memorial Hospital for treatment, but was later pronounced dead.

Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon verified the identity of Misty Long.

Witnesses told officers that the teen had been violent with his mother in the past, Hansel said. On Friday, he had been taken to a Springfield hospital for suicidal ideation but was released to his mother, Hansel told the court.

Dixon, in arguing for Jonathan Long's pre-trial release, said the teen had no juvenile court history and "no history of violence proven or alleged."

Sangamon County Associate Judge Christopher Perrin agreed to Dixon's request for a mental health evaluation for Long.

Perrin also denied Long's pre-trial release.

The next hearing in the case is July 18.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois teen accused of stabbing adoptive mother more than 100 times