Charges were announced Thursday morning in connection to the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Na’Ziyah Harris.
Prosecutors said in a press conference that Na’Ziyah was pregnant. The alleged suspect in her disappearance & death, 41-year-old Jarvis Butts, was the father of that child.
He was charged today with first-degree murder and sexuall conduct charges in her disappearance and death, according to the Prosecutors.
Jarvis Butts was in a dating relationship with the aunt of Na’Ziyah Harris, and that’s how he had access to her, Prosecutors said.
He is also facing CSC charges after prosecutors say he sexually assaulted two other young female victims in Detroit that occurred between April 2012 to April 2014 & July 2015 to July 2017. Prosecutors say he would befriend women to get close to their children.
Na’ziyah Harris disappeared on January 9, 2024, in the Cornwall and Three Mile Drive area around after exiting her school bus, according to a police news release. Text messages between the defendant & Na’ziyah indicate they met at a motel at 9:30 p.m. in Detroit. That was the last time she was seen, according to prosecutors.
“His phone records show that he searches online about abortions, and drinking red anti-freeze. On January 10, 2024, it is alleged that Butts was in the Rouge River area in Detroit. The clothing Na’Ziyah’s was last seen wearing was found in this same area,” prosecutors said in a news release. “There was damage to a piece of the found clothing that could indicate a struggle.”
Police searched multiple locations for her, including near the Rouge River in McNichols and Grand River & a pond in Clinton Township.
Prosecutors announced Thursday morning that she is dead but her body has still not been found.
Arraignment is set for Friday. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detroit police.
