Detroit – The man accused of murdering a 13-year-old girl who went missing in early 2024 will be tried in two different child sexual abuse cases.

Jarvis Butts faces multiple charges in death of JE Clark Preparatory Academy student Na’Ziyah Harris Who disappeared in January?. Although his body has not been found, police said there was an “overwhelming” amount of evidence that Butts killed Harris.

The 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 sexual abuse cases.

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

Background: ‘Groom, pedophile’ accusation regarding the death of a 13-year-old Detroit girl was last seen in January

Prosecutors said Butts was supposed to surrender to authorities on the weapons charge on Jan. 9, the day Na’Ziyah disappeared, but that date was postponed until February. Harris allegedly met with Butts that day, and the two reportedly drove to Ypsilanti before returning to Detroit, where Butts checked into a motel.

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

Authorities believe Butts had been sexually abusing Harris since 2022 before killing her in January. Prosecutors said he had a history of targeting and befriending women to get closer to and sexually abuse his daughters.

This isn’t the only sexual abuse case involving Butts. He was also accused of sexually assaulting two young girlsProsecutors called Butts a “serial child rapist” who sexually assaulted an 8-year-old family member and a girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter, and reportedly contracted chlamydia from the attack. .

He was charged as a fourth-time offender on September 27.

Butts and Harris reportedly knew each other because he was their cousin’s father. It is alleged that the harassment against Harris started in 2022 with sexually explicit texts and photos sent to the child.

The day after he disappeared, he was tracked to the Rouge River in Detroit; here police would later find the clothes Harris was last wearing. Authorities said there was damage to the clothing that could indicate a struggle.

A lawsuit was filed against Butts first degree premeditated murder, material containing child sexual abuseAnd Second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13.

Connection denied.

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

Tips can be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-SPEAK-UP or goes to their website.