Jarvis Butts Pleads Guilty in Na'Ziyah Harris Murder Case

The disappearance of Na'Ziyah Harris in January 2024 sparked a massive search effort and a wave of grief throughout Detroit. Jarvis Butts, who had known Harris, quickly became a person of interest in the case. Text messages and online search history revealed Butts' knowledge of Harris' pregnancy and his searches for abortion-related information, raising suspicions about his involvement in her disappearance.

Butts was initially charged with first-degree premeditated murder, child sexually abusive material, and second-degree criminal sexual conduct. While facing these charges, he was also accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old family member, leading to additional felony charges. Ultimately, Butts pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, along with five counts of criminal sexual conduct. As part of the plea agreement, some additional charges were dismissed, and all sentences will run concurrently.

The source told Local 4 that Butts admitted to dumping Harris’ body in Rouge River near 7 Mile and Berg, where police initially searched for the 13-year-old girl. Officials previously said that officers found an inside-out pink jumpsuit, a black jacket and a red and black shoe near the intersection of 7 Mile and Berg when they initially were searching for her.

Jarvis Butts pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and five counts of criminal sexual conduct.

Butts admitted to dumping Harris' body in the Rouge River near 7 Mile and Berg in Detroit.

Butts is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12, 2026, at 12 p.m.

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