Battle Creek Man In Custody For Assault Against Pregnant 12 Year Old

The 20 year old suspect accused of impregnating and later assaulting a 12 year old girl is now in police custody.

On Friday, August 16, an assault was reported to the Battle Creek Police Department involving a 12 year old girl as the victim. The suspect was identified as an ex-boyfriend of the girl, a 20 year old Battle Creek man. Battle Creek Police Detectives had been investigating allegations of sexual assault against the 12 year old since late June as the girl said she was pregnant. That investigation is on-going.

On Wednesday, August 21 at 10:30 am, the suspect in the assault turned himself in to Detectives at the Battle Creek Police Department. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Calhoun County Jail on misdemeanor assault charges and is cooperating in the investigation.

The CSC (criminal sexual conduct) investigation is separate from the assault investigation and on going and no charges have been issued at this time.

Authorities began the initial investigation on June 27 for the possible sexual assault involving the girl after police received a report from CPS and learned that the girl frequently ran away from her mother and there was reason to believe she had sexual contact with the suspect.

A detective contacted the man on July 22 and the 20 year suspect said the girl told him she was 18. The man said he ended the relationship on July 8 when he learned of her age.

On Friday August 16, police were called to the 100 block of North Bedford Road where the victim said she was with her brother and his girlfriend when the 20 year old man rode up on his bike and pushed her into a fence, allegedly saying, "I'm going to make you get rid of that baby." The suspect fled the scene before police arrived.

On Monday, a warrant was issued in Calhoun County District Court for aggravated assault.

The penalty if convicted for the misdemeanor assault charges is up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine and the maximum penalty for criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 13 carries is life in prison, with a minimum of 25 years.

The suspect name is being withheld pending arraignment.