Warning: This article discusses child abuse which may be upsetting to some readers.
In a recent court hearing, graphic text messages were unveiled, allegedly exchanged between a man and a 13-year-old girl he is accused of murdering.
Na’Ziyah Harris was last seen on January 9, 2024, after disembarking from a school bus in Detroit’s Morningside neighborhood.
The young girl has been missing since, and although her body has not been discovered, it is presumed she is deceased.
Months later, Jarvis Butts was apprehended and charged with first-degree premeditated murder, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and child sexually abusive activity.
The preliminary hearing to decide if the case will proceed to trial began on January 6, 2025, and concluded on January 9, with testimony from various witnesses, according to ClickonDetroit.
The accusations claim that the 42-year-old had an inappropriate relationship with Na’Ziyah, with suspicions from authorities that the abuse began in 2022.
Sergeant Shannon Jones, leading the investigation into Na’Ziyah’s disappearance, read the text messages in court.
These exchanges started on September 27, 2022, though the content indicates a prior ongoing communication.
Messages from September 27, 2022, included Butts asking about their meeting location for an encounter, ending with, “And make sure you erase the messages,” to which Na’Ziyah responded, “K that is what I planned to do.”
Further exchanges revealed Butts telling the 13-year-old, “I stole your panties,” and on June 27, 2023, asking, “Are you naked yet,” to which Na’Ziyah replied, “No I don’t wanna get naked.”
By September 26, 2023, Na’Ziyah confided to Butts about a possible pregnancy.
On November 27, 2023, Na’Ziyah texted Butts expressing the challenges she faced, asking for his assistance, relating to carrying out physical activities while pregnant.
ClickOnDetroit reports that additional text records show Butts searched online for abortion pills and information on drinking red antifreeze.
The last known message from Na’Ziyah was sent on her disappearance day.
On January 9, 2024, she texted Butts, “Don’t forget be there before 3 I will let you know when I’m leaving the school if you not there I will wait.”
“Send OK if you see the message so I can delete your number.”
Butts responded with: “OK.”
After the hearing, Judge Aliyah Sabree ruled Butts would face trial for the murder of Na’Ziyah, stating, per CBS News, “You’re the monster in this whole picture.”
Describing the text exchanges as “disgusting,” she said, “Na’Ziyah deserved so much more.”
Butts also faces charges for allegedly abusing two other girls in separate incidents. His murder trial starts today, January 16.
If this article raises concerns or if you need to discuss child welfare confidentially, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)) offers 24/7 support and accepts calls from the U.S., Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.