Trial scheduled for man accused of baby’s rape, murder – The Oakland Press

A trial is scheduled for a Wixom man accused of sexually assaulting and killing his girlfriend’s child.

Jury selection will begin on March 31, 2025, in Oakland County Circuit Court for Christopher Savage, 25, charged with first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse and two counts of first-degree criminal assault for the attack on McKinley Hardy. McKinley was just a year old when she died last June.

According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, McKinley was left in Savage’s care and he was the only one with her when she was injured. Police discovered the baby unresponsive on June 1 when he was called to a home in the 30000 block of Tamarack Drive at The Village Apartments. Savage and McKinley’s mother were reportedly performing CPR on her when officers arrived.

First-degree criminal sexual conduct involves sexual penetration and carries a prison sentence of up to life in prison, just like first-degree child abuse. First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence.

In 2022, another young child suffered fatal injuries at The Village apartments at the hands of his mother’s then-boyfriend, Deangelo Hawkins. Jaice DuPont was left in the care of Hawkins, who caused serious head injuries to the 4-year-old. Jaice died five days after being injured at Mott Children’s Hospital and never regained consciousness after the attack. Hawkins had called 911 and told police the child had been injured when he fell while brushing his teeth.

Hawkins was given a trial in Oakland County Circuit Court and found guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse. Last December he was sentenced to life in prison.

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Originally published: October 31, 2024 at 4:43 PM EDT