Girl pleads guilty in fight posted on YouTube

A female teenager pleaded guilty Wednesday to beating up a 13-year-old girl at the Taste of Lombard fest in a videotaped attack later posted on a popular Internet site.

The high school freshman, who is not being named publicly because she is a minor, could be sent to a state juvenile detention center when sentenced next month on aggravated battery charges.

Her co-defendant, who also is a female, faces similar charges. Her trial is slated to begin next month in DuPage County juvenile court.

Police arrested the girls after the three-minute video shot July 3 at the annual village festival in Madison Meadow Park gained notoriety on YouTube. Authorities shelved the video afterward, but they kept a copy for prosecution purposes.

The female victim suffered minor physical injuries, including some bruising. She is in eighth grade. On the video, she is seen being jumped from behind after turning to walk away from the verbal altercation. The girl is repeatedly kicked, while a crowd of other teens watch the attack without intervening.

DuPage Associate Judge Thomas Riggs presided over Wednesday's guilty plea. The girl faces up to five years in a juvenile facility, but such maximum punishments are rare for youthful offenders in favor of rehabilitative alternatives - such as counseling and community service.