Two Serious Sexual Assault Cases in Southfield

Southfield, September 23, 2025

News Summary

In Southfield, two alarming cases of sexual assault have emerged. DeAngelo Steele, 20, is charged with attacking a 12-year-old girl at Eagleman Park, while 69-year-old Lawrence Edward Miles faces charges for raping two young family members. Both cases raise significant concerns about the safety of minors in the community and emphasize the need for further investigation into potential additional victims.

Southfield — A 20-year-old man, DeAngelo Steele, is currently facing serious charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl at Eagleman Park. The incident took place around 9:40 p.m. last Wednesday when Steele approached the girl under the pretext of asking to use her phone. Instead of a simple request, the situation escalated when Steele attempted to steal the phone.

When the girl chased after him, he allegedly pushed her away, tearing her shirt in the process. Stevens then demanded that she perform a sexual act in exchange for her phone. When she refused, he reportedly attempted to pull down her pants and touched her buttocks. It has been noted that Steele and the victim did not know each other, despite living near the park.

Steele has been charged with unarmed robbery, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and accosting children for immoral purposes. He is currently detained in jail with a bond set at $100,000. Should he be released, he will be required to wear a GPS tether. Steele’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 1. The local police are worried that other victims may exist and are urging anyone with more information to come forward to aid their investigation.

In a separate but equally troubling case, 69-year-old Lawrence Edward Miles has been charged with raping two family members who are under the age of 10. The charges against Miles include three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The alleged incidents occurred between 2024 and 2025 while the children were in his care.

One of the young victims reported that Miles threatened them not to disclose the abuse to their parents after he touched his sister. Miles has a background as a teacher in several states, including Illinois, Kansas, and Georgia. Due to his history, authorities fear that additional victims may come forward.

Currently, Miles has been remanded to jail without bond and faces serious legal repercussions, including the possibility of life imprisonment or a minimum sentence of 25 years if convicted. His preliminary hearing is set for later this month. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has underscored the importance of acting swiftly to protect children from such heinous acts.

Key Details on the Cases

• DeAngelo Steele: Charged with unarmed robbery, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and accosting children for immoral purposes.
• Incident Time: 9:40 p.m. last Wednesday.
• Victim: 12-year-old girl at Eagleman Park.
• Bond: $100,000 with requirement of GPS tether if released.
• Court Date: October 1.

Lawrence Edward Miles Case

• Charges: Three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
• Victims: Two family members under the age of 10.
• Alleged Time Frame: 2024 to 2025.
• Current Status: In jail without bond facing severe penalties.
• Preliminary Hearing Date: Later this month.

Background Context

These two cases highlight ongoing concerns regarding the safety of minors in the community. The legal system is in place to hold offenders accountable, and local authorities are encouraging more victims or anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist in the pursuit of justice.

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HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• Fox 2 Detroit: Southfield Man Charged
• Wikipedia: Sexual Assault
• Patch: Man Sexually Assaults 12-Year-Old Girl
• Google Search: Sexual Assault News
• CBS News: Southfield Man Assaulting Female Shoppers
• Google Scholar: Sexual Assault
• WXYZ: Southfield Man Charged with Sexually Assaulting Family Members
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Assault
• Click On Detroit: Pedophile Charged in Oakland County
• Google News: Local Criminal News

Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER

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