Emiel Lamar Hunt, 39, was charged Tuesday in the death of Trinity Love Jones. Trinity's body was found March 5 in light brush near an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights.
Authorities believe Hunt killed Trinity on or around March 1, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. Officials have not released a possible motive.
The girl's body was found with her head and upper body protruding from a partially zipped duffel bag.
Hunt is reportedly the boyfriend of Trinity's mother, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.
As Hunt appeared in court to face the murder charge on Tuesday, Trinity's father, Antonio Jones, stood up and shouted at him.
"You killed my daughter!' Jones screamed. Throughout the hearing, the father cried and clenched his fists.
Trinity's grandmother, Barbara Jones, told reporters that she felt enraged after learning that Hunt had been charged.
"I felt like a monster, like I wanted to do to him what he did to her, or what is alleged he did to her," she told reporters outside the courthouse.
Hunt's bail was set at $2 million, and his arraignment was continued to April 16. A public defender will be assigned to represent him.
If convicted of murder, Hunt could face up to life in prison.
Authorities have arrested a second person, but information about that "person of interest is being withheld pending further investigation," the sheriff's department said.
After the hearing, Antonio Jones said he wanted to grieve and focus on how loved his daughter was.
"She's an angel now," he said. "Trinity's happy, she's in a better place."
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