MARBLE HILL, Mo. — A Patton teen charged with killing his cousin and legal guardian had his first court appearance this morning in Bollinger County court.

John W. Wilfong, 17, faces first degree murder and armed criminal action charges in the slaying of Pamela L. Ackman, who had been his legal guardian since 2003.

Bollinger County Associate Circuit Judge Scott E. Thomsen set a date of Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. for a preliminary hearing.

Ackman was found on Dec. 30 in her Patton residence, off Highway 51, dead of multiple gunshot wounds.

When sheriff's deputies responded to the homicide they discovered the two boys — Wilfong and a 9-year-old who also lived in the home — missing, along with the .22-caliber rifle that belonged in a gun cabinet in the residence and the Ackmans' gold 1999 GMC Yukon.

Investigators arrested Wilfong and the 9-year-old at a relative's home the following morning after an all night search.