YOUNGSTOWN — George Hill III, 45, of Shields Road in Boardman, pleaded not guilty Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in the murder of his girlfriend, Jennifer Mullen, 35.

He was indicted in December 2020 on murder, felonious assault and domestic violence but was not in custody at the time. He is accused of causing the injuries that killed Mullen.

Hill called police May 31 to report the injuries he is accused of causing either that day or May 30. Mullen died June 4 at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Hill was “on the run” but recently was arrested, which is the reason he was not arraigned earlier, Kevin Day, assistant county prosecutor, said.

The U.S. Marshals Service delivered Hill to the Mahoning County jail after asking for the public’s help in finding him.

During his arraignment Monday, Judge Anthony D’Apolito ordered Hill to remain in the jail without eligibility to make bond.

“She was a mom, and she was wonderful to everyone,” her cousin, Margaret Beniston, said after the arraignment hearing. “Everyone who knew her loved her.” She was the mother of girls 7 and 14, Beniston said.

She was a 2003 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School and enjoyed making crafts, baking and gardening, and was a member of Christ Our Savior Parish, St. Nicholas Church in Struthers.