Man pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting woman, kidnapping her 4-year-old daughter

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- (WTAT) -- Thomas Evans Jr. was indicted in federal court this week on seven attempted murder charges, two counts of kidnapping, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, armed robbery, first-degree burglary and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He faces up to a life sentence if convicted. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

Evans, 37, is accused of following a woman home in February and brutally beating and sexually assaulting her. He then allegedly took the woman's daughter across state lines. The girl was found safe a day later in Alabama, and Evans was arrested the same day in Mississippi. The girl's mother was hospitalized and underwent surgery.

He reportedly had no previous connections to the family. The woman had just dropped off other children at school before she was attacked at her home.