A Cape Coral teen accused of stabbing his father to death last month at their home has been charged as an adult in connection to the murder.

Baron Thomas Verzi, 17, of 1134 S.W. 16th Terrace, was charged Friday with one count of second-degree murder by the State Attorney’s Office. He is accused in the December stabbing of his father, Thomas Verzi Sr., 69.

The state also decided to charge Verzi as an adult in the case.

“Based on the facts and the circumstances of this case, we felt the right decision was to file on him as an adult,” spokeswoman Samantha Syoen said.

“We made a decision to direct file on him as an adult, which means he is no longer in the juvenile system, but now is in the adult court system,” she said.

The felony murder charge is punishable by life in prison.

Assistant state prosecutor Marie Scalisa is handling the case.

Defense attorney Michael J. Rosen is representing Verzi. He did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday.

On Dec. 17, Cape officers responded to 1134 S.W. 16th Terrace after getting a call from Thomas Verzi Jr. of Orlando. He wanted police to check on the welfare of his father, Thomas Verzi Sr., and his brother, Verzi.

He told police that his brother had acted strangely on the phone and that Verzi would not let him speak with their father, according to officials.

Upon arrival, officers discovered Verzi inside the home with blood on his clothing and suffering from apparent stab wounds to his arm and leg.

Officers then found Thomas Verzi Sr. on the floor of the family room in a pool of blood with apparent stab wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Verzi was transported to the Cape Coral Hospital for treatment.

Detectives responded and interviewed him about the incident.

According to officials, Verzi stated that he stabbed his father earlier in the morning after the two had argued. He reported that he left the home and drove around for a while, stopping for gas before eventually returning home.

Verzi reportedly told detectives that when he returned home, he saw the scene and began to stab himself. Shortly after that, his brother called.

Police arrested him and charged him with second-degree murder.

Verzi is being held at the Lee County Jail without bond.

He has an arraignment scheduled for Monday.