Jamie Lynn Silvonek, then 14, and her boyfriend Caleb Barnes, then 20, were detained and placed in separate interview rooms where they remained for more than eight hours during questioning by law enforcement.

The two were then charged with the death of Jamie’s mother, Cheryl Silvonek.

Defense Attorneys John Waldron and Michael Stitt have requested suppression of statements made during the interrogation by their minor client, who has been charged as an adult.

According to Lehigh County Detective Richard Heffelfinger, who testified as a witness for the commonwealth during a pretrial hearing Oct. 28, investigators contacted Jamie’s grandmother, Peggy Lynn, saying, Cheryl Silvonek, her daughter, was missing; and David and Jamie were being questioned as persons of interest.

“She [Jamie] told us she was 14,” Heffelfinger testified. “I wanted an interested adult present,”

He said Peggy Lynn arrived at the station around 11:20 a.m. and was given approximately 10 minutes alone with her granddaughter.

Heffelfinger said the interview with Jamie began at approximately 11:30 a.m.

He then testified Silvonek claimed she did not know where her mother was, that she had left the house to go to the store to buy spinach the night before.

She soon changed her story, the detective added.

“She said Mr. Barnes cut her mother’s throat,” Heffelfinger said.

He testified upon hearing this information, the grandmother became hysterical and left the room.

“We couldn’t do an interview with her (Lynn) in that condition,” Heffelfinger testifed.

After Lynn left the room, Jamie, who was also crying, was asked if she wanted to continue the interview, and she agreed. Heffelfinger added.

Jamie, who had been read her Miranda Rights, was interviewed by Heffelfinger for another hour.

“I made a point, at least in my mind, to handle Jamie with kid gloves,” Heffelfinger stated.

Due to the conflicting accounts given by Caleb and Jamie, Heffelfinger testified he re-engaged discussions with Jamie around 5:30 p.m.

“When Detective Kramer went through the intent to search form, Jamie’s grandmother was brought back for about 10 minutes only,” he said.

During cross-examination, Stitts emphasized three adult males were present during the interview with the girl.

He asked Heffelfinger how often Jamie cried during that portion of the interrogation.

“A lot,” replied Heffelfinger. “There were disagreements, but it wasn’t combative.”

“In my opinion, it was a gentle interview,” he added.

Heffelfinger said he needed a resaon not to arrest Jamie Lynn but he did not find one.

Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Judge Maria L. Dantos will decide whether the 14-year-old’s rights were violated by police when they questioned her without an adult present.

Additional motions for change of venue and separation of defendants’ trials are being argued by brief.