Teen arrested for stabbing Lakeland retiree 30 times

Lakeland, Florida-- Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says a 14-year old career criminal is responsible for stabbing a Lakeland retiree 30 times during a home invasion late Tuesday night.

It happened at the May Manor Mobile Home Park in Lakeland, not far from the suspect's home.

Lakeland Police and Polk County Sheriff's deputies arrested Noel Cruz-Diego. The teen who friends say Sleepy Hill Middle School as a 7th grader has a criminal record dating back to when he was 12 year's old.

"This guy is 14 years old, but this is a hardened felon at fourteen," said Sheriff Judd in an afternoon news conference.

"It's one of the most violent crimes to stab a person, 30 times, over and over and over."

The victim, 55-year old Daniel Granton was at last check listed in extreme critical condition at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Cruz-Diego is scheduled to make his first appearance in court Thursday afternoon. He's also charged with punching a deputy, during his arrest.