Justice for Na’Ziyah: Serial Predator Jarvis Butts Sentenced to 60 Years in Murder and Sexual Assault Cases
DETROIT, MI — In a courtroom charged with grief and simmering anger, the long-awaited final chapter of one of Detroit’s most heartbreaking cases reached its conclusion on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Jarvis Butts, 42, a man described by prosecutors as an “expert groomer” and “serial predator,” was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison for the second-degree murder of 13-year-old Na’Ziyah Harris.
The sentence, handed down by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Nicholas J. Hathaway, also included five concurrent sentences for the sexual assault of four other minors. The sentencing marks a grim resolution to a search for justice that began when Na’Ziyah vanished after stepping off a school bus more than two years ago.
The Sentencing: A Long Road to Accountability
Under the terms of a comprehensive plea agreement reached in February, Butts pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct. Judge Hathaway sentenced Butts to 35 to 60 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections for the murder charge.
Additionally, Butts received 10 to 15 years for each of five separate sexual assault cases involving victims as young as four years old. Because these terms will run concurrently with the murder sentence, Butts will be eligible for parole only after serving at least 35 years—at which point he will be 77 years old.
The hearing was marked by heavy security and high emotion. At least two individuals were escorted from the gallery following vocal outbursts, and Judge Hathaway was forced to pause proceedings multiple times as family members of the victims delivered gut-wrenching impact statements.
“One of the most important aspects of the plea agreement was giving Na’Ziyah’s family some semblance of closure,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. “The disclosure of the location of her body was crucial.”
The Disappearance of Na’Ziyah Harris
The nightmare for the Harris family began on January 9, 2024. Na’Ziyah, a student at J. E. Clark Preparatory Academy, was last seen on surveillance footage getting off her school bus at Cornwall Street and Three Mile Drive on Detroit’s east side.
For months, the case remained a missing persons investigation. Dozens of searches were conducted across Southeast Michigan, from local ponds to the Rouge River. While investigators eventually recovered Na’Ziyah’s clothing and school ID, her body was never found—until a breakthrough in the plea negotiations.
Timeline of the Investigation:
- January 9, 2024: Na’Ziyah disappears; Butts was scheduled to turn himself in on an unrelated gun charge that same day but delayed his surrender.
- March 2024: A woman finds Na’Ziyah’s school ID face-down near a bus stop.
- August 2024: DNA evidence and cellphone mapping lead police to focus on Butts.
- September 2024: Prosecutors officially charge Butts with murder, alleging he killed the 13-year-old after discovering she was pregnant with his child.
A Pattern of Predation
The investigation into Na’Ziyah’s death peeled back the layers of a deeply disturbing criminal history. Prosecutors alleged that Butts had been grooming and sexually abusing Na’Ziyah since 2022, when she was just 11 years old. Thousands of sexually explicit text messages were recovered from devices associated with Butts, detailing plans to meet the child.
Butts’ history showed he was a habitual offender. He had previously served nearly a decade in prison for sexually assaulting another child in 2004. Prosecutor Worthy noted that Butts specifically “targeted and befriended women to have sexual relationships with their young daughters,” using his role as a family acquaintance or boyfriend to gain access to vulnerable children.
The five additional sexual assault charges settled during this sentencing involved victims who were minors at the time of the abuse, including:
- An 8-year-old relative.
- A 4-year-old daughter of a former girlfriend (who reportedly contracted a chlamydia from the assault).
- A 13-year-old female victim.
Closure and the Search for Na’Ziyah
For the family of Na’Ziyah Harris, the most vital part of the plea deal was the requirement that Butts provide a “truthful statement regarding the body.” While the specific location has not been released to the public to preserve the integrity of the recovery, Prosecutor Worthy confirmed that authorities are satisfied with the information provided.
“I don’t think the full relief will get there until we finally have her,” said Na’Ziyah’s cousin, Roxy, during a recent media briefing. “But today, we’re closer to that.”
FAQs: Understanding the Legal Outcome
Why was the sentence for murder 35 to 60 years?
In Michigan, second-degree murder carries a maximum of life in prison. The 35-to-60-year range was a negotiated “sentence agreement” within a plea deal, intended to ensure the defendant provided information on the location of the victim’s body.
What does a “concurrent” sentence mean?
It means Butts will serve all his sentences (for murder and the five sexual assaults) at the same time. His total time behind bars will be dictated by the longest sentence (the 35–60 years for murder).
Will Na’Ziyah’s body be recovered?
Based on the “truthful statement” provided by Butts as a condition of his plea, law enforcement is working on recovery efforts. Details remain confidential to protect the family’s privacy and the ongoing investigation.