MASON, Mich. (AP) - A 25-year-old Lansing-area man has been arraigned on open murder, child abuse and arson charges in the death of his 5-year-old stepdaughter before a fire at the family’s apartment.
During Thomas McCIellan’s hearing Thursday, police testified he told officers he stabbed Luna Michelle Younger and then set fire to the apartment in Holt.
A magistrate ordered McClellan held without bond. McClellan has requested a court-appointed attorney.
The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office alleges McClellan set the fire Tuesday evening to destroy evidence of the killing. The fire was set in a bedroom where the girl’s body was found.
McClellan is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial conference Nov. 10. His preliminary examination is set for Nov. 17.
The charges McClellan faces carry penalties of up to life in prison.
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