(KNX 1070) -- A Colorado teen has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 40 years after pleading guilty to the murder of a 10-year-old girl.
Aidan Zellmer, 17, was charged as an adult in the beating death of Kiaya Campbell on June 7, 2017 -- Zellmer was 15-years-old at the time of the murder.
"In 27 years as a prosecutor, I have never seen a 15-year-old commit such a violent act," 17th Judicial District Attorney Dave Young told KDVR.
When Campbell went missing, a massive search was launched and an Amber Alert issued. The next day her body was found in a ravine, and according to an Adams County Coroner's Office autopsy report, she'd been beaten to death.
An affidavit showed that Zellmer pummelled Campbell with a metal pipe, bashing her head five times, and leaving her body in a ditch.
Reports revealed the girl's body was discovered naked from the waist down, and there was evidence of sexual assault, but all sex crime charges were dismissed as part of Zellmer's plea deal.
According to court records, Campbell's father was in a relationship with Zellmer's mother at the time of the murder.
"Kiaya will not be forgotten," Adams County District Judge Sharon Holbrook told the family, according to KDVR.
