Teen son of Mich. deputy charged with murder of 16-year-old Carly Lewis

(CBS/AP) TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Robert Schwander, the teenage son of a Traverse City, Mich. sheriff's deputy, admitted to killing 16-year-old Carly Lewis, police say, and has been charged with her murder.

Schwander was charged with first-degree murder Thursday in the death of Lewis. The 17-year-old will be tried as an adult.

If convicted, Schwander, who pleaded not guilty, could be sentenced to life in prison.

Schwander's defense attorney Clarence Gomery told the Associated Press that the North Michigan teen has called Lewis' death an accident and recognizes the "seriousness and potential consequences."

Police say they believe Schwander killed the 16-year-old in a vacant building June 2 and moved her body to a sand pile at a public works site two days later.

A statement by the Grand Traverse County sheriff's department said that the case was "especially difficult" for the department and that Schwader's father was on administrative leave.

Schwander's preliminary hearing is set for June 27.