Two children perhaps will face up to 10 years in prison because of killing half-a-million bees

The boys, aged 12 and 13, have been charged with knocking over 50 beehives at the Wild Hill Honey farm in Sioux City which caused half a million bees to freeze to death in late December.

Wild Hill Honey owner Justin Engelhardt claimed the boys had caused $60,000 (£42,000) of damage in what he called a "completely senseless" act.

He said: "They broke into our shed, they took all our equipment out and threw it out in the snow, smashed what they could. Doesn't look like anything was stolen, everything was just vandalised or destroyed".

As insurers do not cover beehives in the US, the couple were set to lose everything until the case attracted national attention and a fundraising page was set up.

The page has so far raised $30,000 (£21,614) and will enable the couple to restart their business in the spring.

Mr Engelhardt said: "It was amazing and we are deeply grateful for all of the contributions from the people of Sioux City and people around the country.

"It's thanks to those contributions that we'll be able to rebuild in the spring. We've already made arrangements to get some hives down south and we'll bring them up in the spring and we'll be right back to where we were."

The area where the crime is alleged to have taken place is remote, and there are not thought to have been any witnesses present. Police say they identified the suspects following a series of tip offs from the public.

The boys have been charged with criminal mischief in the first degree, agricultural animal facilities offences and burglary in the third degree as well as an aggravated misdemeanour for possession of burglar's tools.

If convicted the boys could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000 (£7,200).

Source: Independent