Around 9:30 p.m. on the evening of September 17, 2025, a 20-year-old male by the name of DeAngelo Steele allegedly approached a 12-year-old girl at Inglenook Park, Southfield, State of Michigan, and demanded her phone so as to call his mom but not return. The matter took a worse turn when the girl followed him, and a physical altercation occurred wherein Steele allegedly pushed the girl, ripped her top, pulled her belt line, prodded her behind, and demanded she give him a sex act for the phone. The victim denied and escaped, which saw the police arrive and arrest Steele without injury.
Steele is charged with three felonies by the state of Michigan. The prosecutors charge him with unarmed robbery, which entails the use of force, intimidation, or the taking of a person’s property without the use of a weapon. Steele also faces a charge involving second-degree criminal sexual conduct, which entails a condition of intentional sexual contact between a child aged less than 13 by one older than 17. Steele also stands charged with accosting a child for immorality, a condition where an adult lures or involves a minor aged less than 16 into sexual acts.
A tweet from X.
If convicted, he could get up to 15 years in prison for the sexual conduct charge and potential lifetime electronic monitoring. At his arraignment, the $100,000 cash or surety bond was set, with a GPS tether if bonded out. His next court date is October 1, 2025, at the 46th District Court before Judge Arvant.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren addressed a press conference Sept. 22, praising the victim for courage and the professionalism of his officers, as revealed in body camera video released. The department is investigating possible prior incidents and is calling for potential victims to come forward. The case sparked general community outrage, from arguments over park safety for children, calls for harsher sentences, and controversy over bond. The local community and online users reacted sharply, including calls for justice and questions over predatory behavior in public.
This case spotlights persistent Michigan child sexual abuse issues, as more than 8,000 cases involving minor involved criminal sexual conduct occurred in the year 2024, although reporting usually happens underground. In the country, CDC statistics state nearly a quarter of girls experience sexual abuse by the time they reach age 18. Parents are advised to talk with children about protection mechanisms and report their concerns right away. Assistance resources involve the Michigan Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-855-864-2374.
