Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today announced that after an in-depth investigation by the Michigan State Police he has charged David Bailey, 37, of Coldwater, formerly of Kalamazoo, Matthew Toole, 32, of Battle Creek, Talia Furman, 32, of Springfield, and Jayme LaPointe, 19, of Athens, for their roles in a conspiracy to kidnap a young child at a local county fair, subdue the child and then torture and sexually assault the child until their death and then dispose of the body.
Schuette charged each with three counts of:
- Conspiracy to Commit Murder (punishable by up to life in prison);
- Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping (punishable by up to life in prison); and
- Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree (punishable by up to life in prison).
The defendants are now all in custody of law enforcement after being apprehended by the Michigan State Police and are awaiting arraignment on these charges in 3-A District Court in Coldwater, in Branch County.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
