(JTA) — The Brooklyn, N.Y.-man accused of killing 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky is expected to plead guilty.
Levi Aron will face at least 40 years in prison, according to Brooklyn state Assemblyman Dov Hikind.
A law enforcement official close to the investigation confirmed the details, according to news reports. A plea is expected Tuesday.
Aron, 35, is charged with murdering Leiby near his Brooklyn home. He said he picked up the haredi Orthodox boy in his car when the boy became lost July 11, 2011 while walking home from camp for the first time and asking for directions. Aron said he panicked after the boy was reported missing.
Parts of Leiby’s dismembered body were found in the freezer of Aron’s apartment.
Hikind told The Wall Street Journal that Leiby’s family is satisfied that Aron "will likely spend the rest of his life in prison" and was in favor of the plea agreement.
"The family wants justice," Hikind said, "but nothing is going to bring Leiby back."
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