Name: Na’Ziyah Harris
Age: 13 years old
Last Seen: January 9, 2024
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Status: Still missing; murder charges filed on September 26, 2024
Case Information
13 year old Na’Ziyah Harris was last seen on January 9, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. She disappeared after getting off her school bus that afternoon near Cornwall and 3 Mile Drive.
Background
Na’Ziyah Harris is a student at J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy on Detroit’s east side. After her mother found herself in trouble, Na’Ziyah was adopted by her grandmother, Annette Harris.
“I want my baby home and I’m asking in the name of Jesus and I stand on my faith he is going to bring her home and we can band together and find her we can make a difference,” Harris said in a press conference.
Disappearance
At approximately 2:50 pm on January 9, 2024, Na’Ziyah Harris was seen exiting her school bus in the area of Cornwall and 3 Mile Drive near Warren Avenue and Outer Drive in Detroit, Michigan.
Na’Ziyah hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
She was reported missing by her family the following day after she failed to return home.
Investigation
The Detroit Public Schools Community District started the investigation who brought in US Marshalls to help with the search. The case was officially taken over by the Detroit Police Department on February 13, 2024.
The Detroit Police Department says they’re working with local, state, and federal partners to help find Na’Ziyah.
On January 14, 2024, authorities searched the area where Na’Ziyah was last seen with the help of police dogs and volunteers, but no clues to her whereabouts were found.
In mid February helicopters, k9 units, and police searched an area in Pittsfield Township, located about 45 minutes from where she was last seen.
A search warrant was also conducted at a home on Detroit’s east side in mid February. Whether any evidence was collected during either search has not been made public.
On February 14, 2024, authorities were searching a neighborhood near Garland and Shoemaker, though police have not disclosed what led them to that location.
On February 20, 2024, police announced that they were interviewing suspects in Na’Ziyah’s disappearance, but no arrests have been made.
“We’re asking anybody with any information, any information, I don’t care who it is, please come forward, contact the police department, her life could be in danger,” Na’Ziyah’s grandmother said.
On May 7, 2024, the Detroit News reported that authorities have named a suspect in Na’Ziyah’s disappearance. The 41 year old, whose name is being withheld, is currently incarcerated at the Wayne County Jail.
Murder Charges Filed Against Jarvis Butts
On September 26, 2024, 41 year old Jarvis Butts was charged with first degree murder, child sexual abuse activity, and second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Na’Ziyah’s case. He is set to be arraigned on September 27.
Harris reportedly knew Butts because he is the father of one of her cousins. According to prosecutors, Butts’ abuse of Harris began in 2022.
Texts show that Na’Ziyah met up with Butts on January 9 at Butts’ auto repair shop in Detroit. They then went to Ypsilanti before returning to Detroit. Butts checked into a hotel at 9:30 pm, without Na’Ziyah.
Butts was tracked to the Rouge River in Detroit the day after, where police would later recover the clothes Harris was last seen wearing.
In a press conference on September 26, prosecutor Kym Worthy said there was an overwhelming amount of evidence that shows Harris has died, though her body has not been found.
If found guilty he faces life in prison.
Jarvis Butts Pleads Guilty to Murder
On February 11, 2026, Butts pleaded guilty to the murder of 13 year old Harris. He also pleaded guilty to five separate sexual assault cases.
The plea agreement includes 35 to 60 years for second-degree murder, 10 to 15 years on four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and 10 to 15 years for third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The terms will be served concurrently.
Butts also agreed to provide information regarding the location of Na’Ziyah’s body, which as not been found. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2026.
Appearance
Na’Ziyah stands approximately 5’2 tall and weighs about 130 pounds. Her hair was braided in two puff balls at the time of her disappearance.
Clothing & Accessories:
Na’Ziyah was last seen wearing a light blue jean shirt, blue jeans, a pink and white Rug Rat coat with a fur collar, and blue and white Nike sneakers.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Na’Ziyah Harris please contact the Detroit Police Department’s Major Crimes Division at (313) 596-2260, or Crime Stoppers at (800) SPEAK-UP.
A cash reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to her location.
Media Links
Family, Police Ask Community For Help to Find Missing 13 Year Old – WXYZ
Detroit Police Launch Search For Missing 13 Year Old Last Seen on January 9 – Click On Detroit
13 Year Old Na’Ziyah Harris Still Missing, Police ‘Aggressively Searching’ – Fox2 Detroit
Na’Ziyah Harris Case: Detroit Organization Helps Search For Missing 13 Year Old – Fox2 Detroit
Videos & Flyers
What sort of trouble is the mother in , does she still play a significant role , given that the grand – mother has adopted her ? .
Is she a loner or the sporty type ? .
Did anybody on the bus notice anything different about her movements on the day of her disappearance , before she got on the bus , or during the course of the day at school ? .
Did she get off at her usual stop , how far is her home from the bus stop ? .
Are the suspects interviewed known to the family ? .
Does she have any younger or older siblings than herself ? .
Where is the mother at this time and what does she look like?