Police Say 11-year-old Abducted Girl Beaten, Left to Die – Her Killer Faced a Judge Today

Tom Begaye appeared in federal court this morning to face charges alleging he kidnapped and murdered 11-year-old Ashlynne Mike at the beginning of this week.

The 27-year-old was led into federal court this morning in shackles, handcuffs, wearing a orange jumpsuit. A statement to police stated he sexually molested Ashlynne before bludgeoning her with a tire iron and leaving her to die in the desert. He also claimed that she was still alive when he left her. He reportedly let Ashlynne’s brother Ian go and left walking. He was found by a motorist Monday night walking on Navajo Route 13 near Shiprock.

An unidentified tip led officials to Begaye where the maroon colored van was parked outside a sweat lodge near Shiprock. Police caught up with Begaye and took pictures of him, that’s when the boy identified him as the kidnapper.

Begaye was arrested and admitted to kidnapping the two children and beating Ashlynne with a tire iron near Shiprock. He admitted to stripping the girl naked while she was crying and begging to be taken home. He also admitted to sexually assaulting Ashlynne before he beat her.

Begaye has been charged with murder and two counts of kidnapping, he could not afford an attorney so he will be provided one.