SALEM, Mass. (AP/WBZ NewsRadio) - A Lawrence man has been charged with rape and murder in the death of his 11-year-old grandniece.
An Essex County grand jury indicted 58-year-old Miguel Rivera on five counts Wednesday in connection with the death of the girl at his Lawrence apartment in December.
The Eagle-Tribune reports that police say the Haverhill girl fell ill and later died after visiting Rivera's apartment.
Authorities say an autopsy of the girl's body confirmed the presence of a sleeping medication, sperm cells and the deadly manmade opioid fentanyl.
Rivera is currently being held without bail and now faces arraignment in Salem Superior Court at a future date.
Rivera's court-appointed attorney says he denies all charges.
(© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)