Murderer Accused of Raping Child After Release from Prison Pleads Not Guilty

Less than than five months after being released from prison, a convicted murderer is now back in jail over child abuse charges.

51-year-old Jose Rene Lopez was found guilty in 1992 of murder and homicide by abuse in Franklin County. In January he was released. However, he is now facing child abuse charges after a family member learned he'd abused a five-year-old girl May 13.

Lopez had been staying with some relatives at the time. A family member caught him on surveillance camera abusing the child, and police were called. Lopez has plead not guilty to First Degree Child Molestation and he's in the Franklin County Jail on $1 million bond.

His trial has been set for July 15 in Franklin County Superior Court.