News Summary
A 22-year-old man from Northville Township, Charles Willis, faces multiple felony charges including kidnapping and sexual assault involving a 14-year-old girl. The incident began when Willis allegedly contacted the victim via Snapchat and arranged for her transportation to his home. After isolating her for two days, the girl was found wandering in the early morning, leading to Willis’s arrest. Authorities are investigating possible additional victims, highlighting concerns about the safety of minors on social media.
Northville Township Man Faces Multiple Felony Charges in Kidnapping and Sexual Assault Case
A 22-year-old man from Northville Township, Charles Willis, has been charged with several felonies, including kidnapping, enticing a female under 16 for immoral purposes, child sexually abusive activity, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. These allegations stem from an incident involving a 14-year-old girl he reportedly met through the social media platform Snapchat.
The charges against Willis arose after he allegedly contacted the victim on April 25, 2025, having communicated with her for a period of time before the incident. He reportedly arranged and paid for an Uber ride that transported the girl from her home in Barry County, which is located over two hours away, to his residence in Northville Township.
Upon her arrival at Willis’s home, it is alleged that he instructed the victim to remain in his basement and isolated her for two days. This alarming situation came to light when the girl was found walking alone in the early hours on April 27, wrapped in a blanket, in the vicinity of Seven Mile and Sheldon roads.
After law enforcement discovered the victim, they executed a search warrant at Willis’s residence and subsequently arrested him on the same day. His bond has been set at $1 million, with no 10% option allowed, and he is currently being held in the Wayne County Jail.
Court Appearances and Previous Allegations
Willis is scheduled to appear in court on May 9 for the current charges, but an emergency hearing has been arranged for May 5 regarding a separate felony sexual assault charge dating back to January 2025. This previous allegation raises concerns given that police had prior contact with Willis concerning sexually inappropriate behavior and attempts to entice minor females. However, officials have clarified that these previous incidents are unrelated to the current case.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal
Authorities are now investigating whether there may be additional victims. The Northville Township Police Detective Bureau has urged anyone who believes they or their child may have been contacted by Willis to get in touch with them. Lieutenant Pat Reinke emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing and encouraged public assistance in identifying any other potential victims.
The incident has ignited concerns around the use of social media platforms like Snapchat, particularly regarding the safety of minors. As more young people utilize these platforms for communication, the risk of illicit encounters increases, drawing attention to the need for vigilant monitoring by parents and guardians.
Community Safety Measures
In light of this incident, community leaders may consider implementing programs aimed at educating both parents and children about the potential dangers of social media and the importance of safe online interactions. Encouraging young users to protect their privacy and understand the significance of reporting suspicious communication can be key steps in safeguarding youth from similar situations.
The Northville Township Police remind the public to remain vigilant and proactive in reporting any suspicious activities. The cooperation of the community could play a vital role in ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Click On Detroit
- Wikipedia: Snapchat
- Detroit News
- Google Search: Northville Township man kidnapping
- WWMT
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kidnapping
- Fox17 Online
- Google News: kidnapped teen sexual assault
