The Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office has issued felony warrants against South Haven High School students accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student.
The South Haven Police Department said it learned about the allegations involving six young men and a young female victim last week. Investigators said the case involves several incidents around South Haven, including one at the school.
Police Chief Natalie Thompson said detectives met with school officials, the alleged victim and her parents. Thompson said a plainclothes detective also met with each of the suspects at the school “since it was important to reach all of the young men at approximately the same time.”
Monday, police turned over the case to the prosecutor’s office, which issued felony warrants for third-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim within the age of 13 and 15 years old. Five suspects turned themselves in, were arraigned and released on $1,000 bond, according to Thompson.
Wednesday, police identified those suspects as DaMari Palmer, 18; DeShaan Palmer, 18; Cameron Watkins, 17; Darion Gist-Lewis, 18; and Caskadara Smith, 17.
Thompson told 24 Hour News 8 based on new information, she also expects more charges against a sixth teen in the case.
South Haven Public Schools responded to the investigation on Facebook Wednesday afternoon:
“South Haven Public Schools is concerned for all the students and families involved with this issue. While we will continue to cooperate with SHPD during their investigation and understand the courts will make the final determination on the individuals involved, our main role is to help support our students and families as best we can,” it stated in part.
In a Wednesday news release, Thompson acknowledged that “emotions may run deep on this matter.”
“Our thoughts are with the families of all those involved in this alleged matter. While the law may see some of them as adults, we understand that they are teenagers. We are concerned for the well-being of all those involved. As a police department, we will continue to work with the school and with the prosecutor to ensure that justices will be done in this matter,” she stated.
The suspects are expected back in court on March 8. If convicted, they could face up to 15 years in prison.