FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025 

PONTIAC, Mich. - Today Aaron Deneal McDonald pled no contest to all charges issued by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the kidnapping, rape, and torture of a 9-year-old victim. The charges include Kidnapping, three counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, Assault by Strangulation, and Torture.  The defendant faces a sentence of up to life in prison.

 On October 10, 2021, at approximately 4:30 pm the defendant, who was a stranger to the victim, lured the child into his vehicle where he attempted to sexually assault her. He then drove her to a house in Detroit. The defendant told the victim to remove her clothing and when she refused, he strangled her. He then tortured and raped her. The victim was able to escape after the defendant fell asleep. Shortly after escaping the house wearing only a blanket, the victim was found by a local resident who contacted authorities. Through a joint collaboration among multiple law enforcement agencies, the defendant was identified and taken into custody without incident on October 15, 2021.  

 “The young victim in this case suffered unimaginable harm at the hands of the defendant,” stated Prosecutor McDonald. “No child should have to endure what she went through. Due to her extraordinary bravery and determination, she saved her own life, and she may have saved other children from a similar fate. I commend the collaboration among the various law enforcement agencies involved in this case and the Farmington Hills Police Department for their tireless work in bringing Aaron McDonald to justice for his heinous acts against this young child.”

 McDonald will remain at the Oakland County Jail until sentencing, scheduled for May 2, 2025, at 10:00 am before Judge Jeffery Matis. 

 A plea of no contest has the same effect as a guilty plea, but does not require the defendant to make admissions that could be used against him in a civil case.

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CONTACT: OCPOmedia@oakgov.com