Michigan Man Arrested for Grooming, Molesting and Impregnating 13-year-old Girl in Michigan; Victim Still Missing and Believed to be Dead by Authorities

Authorities in Michigan revealed on Thursday that a 41-year-old man has been taken into custody, accused of killing a 13-year-old girl after discovering that he had impregnated her.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that her office has filed charges against Jarvis Butts, including first-degree murder, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and possession of child sexually abusive material, in connection with the disappearance and suspected death of Na’Ziyah Harris in Detroit.

Na’Ziyah’s grandmother filed a missing person report on January 9 when she failed to return home from school. She was last observed disembarking from the school bus in close proximity to her residence on the eastern side of the city.

Investigators subsequently discovered that she had arranged to meet Butts following her classes. According to Worthy, witnesses observed the duo together. Later that evening, Butts arrived at a nearby hotel to settle in.

“Na’Ziyah was never seen or heard from again,” Worthy told reporters at a press conference. “Not from her family, not from her schoolmates, not from her friends, not from her social media where she was extremely active with her friends, not from her teachers, no one.”

In the following months, officials carried out an extensive inquiry into the girl’s vanishing, analyzing footage, questioning witnesses, and examining phone records. Despite the absence of Na’Ziyah’s body, Worthy expressed a strong belief that she has passed away.

She vanished from social media, stopped attending school, and cut off all communication with family and friends. She also overlooked what could have been her 14th birthday on September 16.

The inquiry revealed According to Worthy, Butts initiated grooming Na’Ziyah in 2022 and soon after began to sexually assault her. In the days prior to her vanishing, Na’Ziyah discovered she was expecting and informed Butts, the father, according to authorities.

Worthy indicated that he was exploring options for her to terminate the pregnancy. According to police, his phone contained sexually explicit photos of her.

“He knew she was pregnant. We know that he was also searching for ways to abort the baby,” Worthy said.

As investigators explored Butts’ history, they discovered that he had reportedly focused on other young females. Charges have also been brought against Butts in connection with two additional girls who were younger than 13.

Officials report that Butts engaged in sexual abuse of a girl, currently 20 years old, during the years 2012 to 2014, and another girl, now 13, from 2015 to 2017. He faces charges of criminal sexual conduct in each instance.

“Based on all those cases we will present in court, Mr. Butts targeted and befriended women to have sexual relationships with their young daughters,” Worthy said. “He would have relationships with their mothers but his true desire was to have sex with their young daughters. He was a classic and expert groomer and pedophile. It’s incredibly sad, incredibly unspeakable and we want to bring justices to her and her family.”

Butts had earlier welcomed children with Na’Ziyah’s aunt. Since August, he has been incarcerated due to a different offense. Documents indicate that he has been convicted of a sexual offense involving a victim aged between 13 and 15. Butts is scheduled to appear in court to face the charges on Friday. Records show he is a convicted sex offender in Michigan.

During the press conference, Worthy revealed a selfie that Na’Ziyah had taken shortly before she went missing. With a bright smile, she greets the camera with a friendly wave.

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