“Serial child rapist” accused of killing Detroit teen goes to trial

DETROIT – The man accused of killing a 13-year-old girl who went missing in early 2024 will stand trial on two separate counts of child sexual abuse.

Jarvis Butts faces multiple felony charges in connection with the death of Na'Ziyah Harris, a JE Clark Preparatory Academy student who went missing in January. Although her body has not been recovered, police said there was an “overwhelming” amount of evidence that Butts murdered Harris.

A preliminary hearing on Friday, November 1, focused on Harris and two other alleged victims. A 13-year-old and a 20-year-old testified in two separate cases of sexual abuse.

The hearing focusing on Harris will continue in January. More than 20 witnesses are expected to testify.

Background: 'Groomer, pedophile' charged in death of 13-year-old Detroit girl last seen in January

Prosecutors said Butts was supposed to turn himself in to authorities on a weapons charge on Jan. 9, the day Na'Ziyah went missing, but that date was pushed back to February. Harris allegedly met with Butts that day, and the two reportedly went to Ypsilanti before returning to Detroit, where Butts checked into a motel.

Text records allege that Butts knew Harris was pregnant and that he began researching abortions, abortion pills and drinking red antifreeze online.

Authorities believe Butts had sexually abused Harris since 2022 before killing her in January. Prosecutors said he had a history of targeting and befriending women in order to get to their daughters and sexually abuse them.

It's not the only sexual abuse case involving Butts. He was also charged with allegedly sexually abusing two other young girls and was convicted of sexual assault in 2005. Prosecutors described Butts as a “serial child rapist” who sexually abused an eight-year-old family member and a friend's four-year-old daughter, who reportedly contracted chlamydia from the attack.

He was charged Sept. 27 as a habitual fourth-time offender.

Butts and Harris reportedly knew each other because he was the father of her cousins. Harris' abuse allegedly began in 2022 when sexually explicit texts and photos were sent to the child.

He was tracked the day after her disappearance to Detroit's Rouge River, where police later recovered the clothing Harris was last seen. Authorities said there was damage to clothing that could indicate a struggle.

Butts was charged with first-degree premeditated murder, child sexually abusive material and second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 years old.

He was denied bail.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Detroit Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 313-596-2260.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-SPEAK-UP or visiting their website.