MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop A - 504 SE Blue Parkway - Lee's Summit, MO 64063


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. Bill Lowe
(816) 622-0800 ext. 3159
A2012-48
December 6, 2012

EMPHASIS: Benton County Resident Arrested Following The Investigation Of A Child Death


On Saturday, December 1, 2012, the Benton County Sheriff's Department was notified by the Division of Family Services of the death of two-year-old Mia Aguilar, of Cole Camp, Missouri. Benton County Sheriff Rick Fajen requested that members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control assist with the death investigation. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Alejo Rafael, 27, of Cole Camp, Missouri, on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, for second degree murder and child abuse. Rafael, who is an acquaintance of the child's mother, was transported to the Benton County Jail where he currently is being held.
The charges for which Rafael was arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
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