Trial scheduled for man accused of raping and killing child – The Oakland Press

A trial has been scheduled for a Wixom man accused of sexually assaulting and killing his girlfriend’s child.

Jury selection will begin March 31, 2025, in Oakland County Circuit Court for Christopher Savage, 25, charged with first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse and two counts of first-degree sexual assault in connection with the attack on McKinley Hardy. McKinley was just a year old when she died last June.

According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, McKinley was left in Savage’s care and he was the only one with her when she suffered her injuries. Police found the child unresponsive when they were called to a home in the 30000 block of Tamarack Drive in The Village apartments on June 1. Savage and McKinley’s mother were reportedly performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on her when officers arrived.

First-degree criminal sexual conduct involves sexual penetration and is punishable by up to life in prison, as is first-degree child abuse. First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence.

In 2022, another young child was fatally injured at The Village apartments at the hands of his mother’s then-boyfriend, Deangelo Hawkins. Jaice DuPont was left in the care of Hawkins, who caused a serious head injury to the 4-year-old. Jaice died at Mott Children’s Hospital five days after his injuries, never regaining consciousness from the attack. Hawkins called 911 and reportedly told police the child was injured when he fell while brushing his teeth.

Hawkins had a trial in Oakland County Circuit Court and was found guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse. Last December, he was sentenced to life in prison.

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Originally published: October 31, 2024 at 4:43 pm EDT