Alec Champagne
/ file photo
UTICA -- A teenager accused of sexually assaulting and beating a toddler to death was arraigned Friday morning.
14-year-old Alec Champagne of Whitesboro pleaded not guilty in Oneida County Court to a single charge of second degree murder in connection with the death of two-year-old Melissa Calhoun of Yorkville. Champagne was indicted on the murder charge by a grand jury Thursday.
Authorities say Champagne admitted to beating and sexually assaulting Calhoun while babysitting her and her younger sister last month.
Champagne will be tried as a juvenile offender, which means he will not be prosecuted on the sexual abuse charge. If convicted he could face five years to life in prison.
Champagne is scheduled to return to court on August 6, and a pre-trial heraing is scheduled for August 12.
