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SANTA ANA — The factory worker arrested in the abduction and slaying of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion was charged Monday with murder and other counts that could bring the death penalty. 

The charges against Alejandro Avila came a week after Samantha was abducted kicking and screaming outside her apartment while playing with a friend. The girl’s nude body was found a day later. Investigators said she had been sexually assaulted and strangled. 

Avila, 27, was charged with murder, kidnapping and two counts of forcible lewd acts on a child. Prosecutors could seek the death penalty under special circumstances included with the charges: the murder occurred after a kidnapping and the crime involved lewd acts with a person under 14. 

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackackaus said no decision has been made on whether to seek the death penalty. 

“I do want to make one thing very clear,” he said. “Anyone who commits an act like this in Orange County will either die in prison of natural causes or be executed. It is almost impossible to overstate the amount of damage this type of crime causes in our community and the entire nation.” 

Avila, who works at a plant that makes pacemakers and other medical devices, appeared at the hearing via video from a jail. He did not enter a plea Monday and was ordered held without bail. He was scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 9. 

Avila has denied involvement in the girl’s disappearance.