Man accused of killing, dismembering Fort Wayne girl pleads not guilty

Extra security forces from the Allen County Sheriff’s Department and caution tape served as protection as the man accused of killing a 9-year-old Fort Wayne girl appeared in court Wednesday morning.

Michael Plumadore, 39, is accused of killing and then dismembering Aliahna Lemmon on December 22.

Plumadore entered a not guilty plea and requested a public defender in Allen Superior Court Magistrate Samuel Keirns.  

Prosecutors brought formal charges against Plumadore in late December in Allen Superior Court 6.  Plumadore was charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and moving body from scene.

In court Wednesday, Plumadore was read the charges against him and said he understood.

In an interview with police, Plumadore admitted that he used a brick to hit Lemmon in the head several times.  He said he then carried Lemmon's body to his home and used a hack saw to dismember her.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Plumadore said he placed pieces of Lemmon's body in freezer bags before disposing of them in a dumpster at a nearby business.

Lemmon and her two sisters were staying with Plumadore for about a week while their mother was ill. Plumadore was a neighbor and a family friend.

The memorial continues to grow for young Lemmon at the mobile home park she called home. Neighbors said they are still shocked that a neighbor and family friend could commit the alleged acts.

Plumadore’s mobile home was towed away by investigators to be analyzed.

He will remain behind bars until his pre-trial on January 18.