Man Accused Of Killing Baby During Sex Assault
GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ/AP) - Federal prosecutors have accused a northern Michigan man of killing his 3-month-old daughter while he was sexually assaulting her.
The Grand Rapids Press and the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported Tuesday that 26-year-old Steven Deuman is charged with murdering his infant daughter while sexually assaulting her. He has a hearing Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.
The case is federal because the Aug. 12 death happened on a reservation of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Leelanau County, northwest of Traverse City.
Records say Deuman, his wife and children live on the reservation.
Deuman allegedly told investigators that the girl fell off a bed, and accidentally choked on a discarded condom. Autopsy results showed no evidence of a fall and indicated the baby was asphyxiated. The FBI alleged Deuman killed the girl "during the perpetration, or attempted perpetration, of aggravated sexual abuse."
Phone and email messages were left at the office of Deuman attorney Richard Stroba after business hours Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
