Man charged in death of abducted 13-year-old Hania Aguilar has been identified

On November 5, Hania Aguilar was kidnapped from her home in a relative's idling SUV while waiting to be taken to the school bus. An Amber Alert was issued three hours later.

A body was found on November 27 and identified as hers. Now a man with a criminal past has been charged with her murder and abduction.

Michael Ray McLellan, 34, has been formally charged with the abduction and murder of Hania Aguilar, 13, from North Carolina. McLellan’s formal charges are first-degree murder, first-degree sexual offense, statutory sex offense with a person 15 years or younger, first-degree kidnapping, felony larceny, felony restraint, abduction of a child, and concealment of a death just to name a few.

DNA evidence which was taken from Aguilar’s remains is what led the FBI and the Lumberton Police Department state to McLellan. The suspect had been in police custody on unrelated charges since November 13.

For more on this story go to our Twitter account @amomama_usa. His previous arrest was for the possession of a firearm by a felon, second-degree kidnapping, and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon.

On October 15, the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at a woman whose car he tried to steal. McLellan also has a 2007 conviction for an armed burglary.

After kidnapping Aguilar in a green 2002 Ford Expedition SUV, the car was found abandoned three days later. The teenager’s cause of death is still awaiting autopsy results.

McLellan’s bond was revoked and his next court date is December 21, where he could face the death penalty if convicted.

On Saturday, her funeral was held at Lumberton High School. The school’s officials, classmates, and Aguilar’s friends celebrated her life with song, poetry, and letters.

It was revealed that her interests had been music, science, soccer, baking, and she dreamed of becoming an architect. The school’s principal SaVon Maultsby said:

"When I look at all the outpouring of love and support for Hania every day, I am reminded that her life's journey is really about the people who she has touched."

Her father, a Guatemala resident, was refused entry into the US to attend her funeral. The US State Department denied a temporary visa for Noé Aguilar according to his attorney, Naimeh Salem.

On Sunday, Aaron Trejo, 16, of Mishawaka, Indiana was arrested and charged as an adult for killing Breana Rouhselang, 17. The pregnant cheerleader’s body was found in an Indiana restaurant dumpster.

Trejo confessed to the police that he had stabbed Rouhselang after she hid her pregnancy from him for six months, making it impossible for her to get an abortion. His arraignment was set for Tuesday.