SHERWOOD, MI (WTVB) – Michigan State Police say an alleged Branch County crime that happened last summer has brought the arrest and arraignment this week of an 18-year old male accused of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct with a four year old boy.
Jacob Beatty of Adrian was taken into custody New Year’s Day and is being held on $100,000 bond. According to State Police, the assault occurred at a residence on Arney Road in Sherwood Township where the victim’s 22-year-old mother lived. Troopers said Beatty was her cousin.
Investigators said the victim and the suspect were alone when the crime took place July 15, 2018. State Police said that the youngster told his mother what happened the same day when she returned home and she immediately called authorities, who were dispatched to the scene that afternoon. The next day, the woman and her son moved to Camden in Hillsdale County.
The warrant for Beatty’s arrest was issued December 12, 2018. He was arraigned Wednesday in Branch County District Court on the criminal sexual conduct charge and a second count of accosting a child for immoral purposes.
Beatty is scheduled to return to Branch County District Court for a probable cause hearing January 15, 2019.
