LUMBERTON, NC (WBTW) – Prosecutors in North Carolina want the man accused of killing Hania Aguilar put to death.
Moments ago, News13 learned from inside the courtroom that prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Michael McLellan. McLellan is charged in the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Hania Aguilar.
Aguilar was forced into an idling SUV and kidnapped from a home in Robeson County on November 5, 2018, according to Lumberton police. After weeks of searching, the FBI located the girl’s remains in a body of water off of Wire Grass Road on November 27.
McLellan was charged for Hania’s kidnapping and death on December 8. The press release from the FBI states McLellan was arrested for her murder shortly after forensic test results were processed.
McLellan was already behind bars in Robeson County when the charges in the Aguilar case came down. McLellan had been arrested on November 13, 2018 by Fairmont police on unrelated armed robbery and kidnapping charges, warrants confirm.
A grand jury indicted McLellan in May on the following charges:
- First degree murder
- First degree force sex offense
- Statutory sexual offense with person less than 15 years of age
- Larceny of motor vehicle
- Felonious restraint
- Abduction of children
- Concl/fail report death child
- First degree forcible rape
- Statutory rape of child <=15
- First degree kidnapping
News13 is inside the courtroom right now. Watch News13 at five o’clock and 6 o’clock for the newest information. You can also download the News13 app here for instant updates on this story and breaking news 24-7.