Lansing-Area Man Arraigned On Charges In Stepdaughter's Stabbing Death Before Fire
MASON, Mich. (WWJ/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 McClellan'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 married to the girl's mother and was home alone with the girl at the time of the fire, authorities have said.
McClellan is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial conference Nov. 10. His preliminary examination is set for Nov. 17.
If convicted as charged, McClellan faces up to life in prison.
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