DETROIT — A man already in jail on sexual assault charges was charged with murder Thursday in the disappearance of a 13-year-old Detroit girl who has been missing since leaving school in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201coverwhelming evidence\u201d shows that Na’Ziyah Harris is dead, though her remains still have not been found, prosecutor Kym Worthy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investigators believe Jarvis Butts, 41, killed the girl because she was pregnant with his child, Worthy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His “alleged actions were beyond predatory,” she said. “They were vulturous: He groomed and preyed upon Na\u2019Ziyah with expertise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Butts was charged with murder and other crimes. He has been in jail since April, unable to post a $250,000 bond in a separate case. A message seeking comment from his lawyer was not immediately returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police for months have been chasing tips about Na’Ziyah, even searching a Detroit river and suburban pond. Worthy said a piece of her clothing was found, indicating a possible struggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Na’Ziyah knew Butts because he had children with her aunt. Worthy said he began sending sexually explicit messages to the girl in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Jan. 9, the day of her disappearance, Na’Ziyah used her tablet to tell Butts that she would meet him after school, Worthy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor talked to reporters while standing in front of a selfie taken by a smiling Na’Ziyah at school that same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat will always be haunting,\u201d Worthy said. \u201cBecause it was taken just a short time before the evidence shows that she was never seen or heard from again. … Little did she know that she was really saying goodbye.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n