‘Serial Rapist’ Accused of Murdering Detroit Teen Arrives in Court

DETROIT – A man accused of murdering a 13-year-old girl who disappeared in early 2024 will stand trial on two separate counts of child sexual abuse.

Jarvis Butts faces multiple felony charges in the death of Na’Zia Harris, a student at J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy who went missing in January. Although her body has not been found, police said there is “overwhelming” evidence that Butts killed Harris.

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

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

background: ‘Pedophile groomer’ charged in death of 13-year-old Detroit girl last seen in January

Prosecutors said Batts was supposed to surrender to authorities on weapons charges on Jan. 9, the day Na’Zia disappeared, but that date was pushed back to February. Harris allegedly met Batts that day and the two reportedly drove to Ypsilanti before returning to Detroit, where Batts checked into a motel.

The text records state that Batts knew Harris was pregnant and that he began searching the Internet about abortions, abortion pills and using red antifreeze.

Authorities believe Batts sexually assaulted Harris starting in 2022 before killing her in January. Prosecutors said he had a history of assaulting and befriending women in order to get close to their daughters and sexually assault them.

This is not the only sexual assault case Batts has been involved with. He is also accused of sexually abusing two other girlsand a conviction for sexual assault in 2005. Prosecutors called Batts a “serial child rapist” who sexually assaulted an 8-year-old family member and a friend’s 4-year-old daughter, who reportedly contracted chlamydia from the attack. .

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

Batts and Harris reportedly knew each other because he was the father of her cousins. Harris’ abuse allegedly began in 2022 by sending the child sexually explicit text messages and photos.

He was tracked down on the Rouge River in Detroit the day after she disappeared, where police later found the clothes Harris was last seen wearing. Authorities said there was damage to the clothing that could indicate a struggle.

Batt has been charged first degree premeditated murder, materials of sexual violence against childrenand sexual intercourse of the second degree with a person who has not reached the age of 13.

He was denied bail.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call 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 going to their website.