(KLZA)--A Beatrice, Nebraska man accused of killing his partner and holding his children hostage has pleaded not guilty to charges.

51-year-old Christopher Milke entered the not guilty Wednesday in Gage County Court to charges of second degree murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of kidnapping.

Milke is accused of shooting and killing 52-year-old Tammy Leslie at their Beatrice home on September 8th. He then allegedly took the phones of his 19-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, sealing the exits of the home to prevent them from leaving.

The daughter called authorities after Milke fell asleep, which led to a raid by the Beatrice Police Department to rescue the children.

Officers found Leslie dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

She previously lived in Stella and was a graduate of Southeast Consolidated High School.

Milke remains in jail without bond. A bond review hearing is scheduled for November 21, with a pretrial scheduled for December 18.