‘Serial child rapist’ accused of murdering Detroit teenager sent to trial

DETROIT – A man accused of killing a 13-year-old girl who disappeared in early 2024 will stand trial in two different child sexual abuse cases.

Jarvis Butts faces multiple felonies in connection with the death of Na’Ziyah Harris, a J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy student who went missing in January. Although her body was not found, police said there was an “overwhelming” amount of evidence that Butts murdered Harris.

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

Harris’ hearing will continue in January. More than 20 witnesses are expected to testify.

Background: ‘Groomer, pedophile’ accused in death of 13-year-old Detroit girl, last seen in January

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

Text records show that Butts knew Harris was pregnant and began searching the Internet for information about abortion, abortion pills, and drinking red antifreeze.

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

This isn’t the only sexual abuse case Butts is involved in. He also heard allegations of sexual abuse of two other girlsand a sexual assault conviction in 2005. Prosecutors called Butts a “serial child rapist” who sexually assaulted an 8-year-old family member and his girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter, who reportedly contracted chlamydia from the assault .

On September 27, he was charged as a habitual offender for the fourth time.

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

The day after her disappearance, it was tracked to Detroit’s Rouge River, where police later found the clothes Harris was last seen wearing. Authorities said clothing was damaged, possibly indicating a fight.

Butts faces charges first degree premeditated murder, child sexual abuse material AND second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 years of age.

He was denied bail.

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

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