4-13-17 New Jersey:A man serving two life sentences for the kidnapping and murder of a 6-year-old girl in Manalapan in a highly-publicized case that helped spur Megan's Law registries for sex offenders has died in a state prison. Kevin Aquino, 42, died on March 11, according to the state Department of Corrections website.
Aquino pleaded guilty in July 1995 to abducting and killing 6-year-old Amanda Wengert from her Manalapan home. Wengert's parents were at an anniversary party honoring Aquinos' parents when he broke into the Wengert home and kidnapped Amanda, who was sleeping on a couch.
As he carried her through the backyard, the 6-year-old awoke and began fighting with Aquino. He knocked her unconscious, then killed her and hid the body in a wooded area 200 yards behind his home. An autopsy determined she died of a skull fracture.
Aquino had previously been convicted as a juvenile for sexually assaulting three young children, but the Wengerts were unaware of his past.
The killing and the death of 7-year-old Megan Kanka several months later in 1994 led to the legislation that established the Megan's Law registry. The Wengerts joined Megan Kanka's family in pressing for the law to register sex offenders.
Aquino would have had to serve at least 55 years in prison before being eligible for parole.
According to an email from a Department of Corrections spokesman, Aquino was found unresponsive in his cell and there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances around his death.
The Asbury Park Press reported that he was found about 20 minutes after he was last seen taking a shower. ..Source.. by Rajeev Dhir
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