By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-26 20:09:14 | Updated at 2024-09-30 17:20:30
3 days ago
A man has been charged with murdering a 13-year-old girl he is accused of impregnating.
Jarvis Ramon Butts, 41, was charged on Thursday with first degree murder and second-degree criminal sexual conduct following the disappearance of Na'Ziyah Harris on January 9.
The little girl was last seen getting off a school bus on Detroit's east side. Her body has not been found.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy revealed on Thursday that Butts knew Na'Ziyah because he had children with her aunt.
'He was a classic and expert groomer and pedophile,' Worthy said.
Police allege Butts sent multiple sexually explicit text messages to Na'Ziyah beginning in September 2022.
Na'Ziyah Harris was last seen getting off a school bus on Detroit's east side. Her body has not been found
Jarvis Ramon Butts, 41, was charged on Thursday with first degree murder and second-degree criminal sexual conduct following the disappearance of Na'Ziyah Harris on January 9
In September 2023, she allegedly text Butts to inform him she had missed her period, and by November 2023 'the evidence shows Butts knows that she is pregnant.'
Worthy said: 'His phone records show that he searches online about abortions, abortion pills and drinking red anti-freeze.'
She accused Butts of targeting and befriending women with intent to have sexual contact with their young daughters.
As part of the investigation, police reportedly tracked Butts' movements to the Rouge River in Detroit the day after Na'Ziyah disappeared.
In September 2023, Na'Ziyah allegedly text Butts to inform him she had missed her period, and by November 2023 'the evidence shows Butts knows that she is pregnant.'
Police later recovered the clothes Na'Ziyah was last seen wearing from the area.
'We will prove that he killed young Na'Ziyah after he found out she was pregnant at 13 with his child,' Worthy said.
In 2005 he was sentenced for having criminal sexual conduct with a child aged between 13 and 15.
Butts is also facing charges relating to the sexual assault of two other girls who were under 13 at the time of the alleged abuse.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy held a press conference in front of a picture of Na'Ziyah on Thursday in which she revealed Butts knew Na'Ziyah because he had children with her aunt
One of the alleged victims, now 20, was abused between April 2012 and April 2014, Worthy said.
The second victim is now 13. She was allegedly abused between July 2015 and July 2017.
Butts is already in custody facing charges relating to a different matter.
He will be arraigned on Friday.
Authorities are asking anyone with information linked to this case, or any further potential victims of Butts, to come forward.
