DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Dearborn Heights police are thanking the community for their assistance in locating a teenage girl who had been missing for several weeks.
Dearborn Heights police, in collaboration with the US Marshals Office, had been working nonstop in their search for 16-year-old Tasia Keaton, who had fled the Vista Maria youth home on March 14.
After numerous public tips, Police Chief Ahmed Haider said Keaton was found in good condition on Wednesday after staying with the 62-year-old Dearborn Heights man who is now in police custody for more than a month.
Haider told reporters that tips led detectives to the man’s home near Inkster and Warren roads, where Keaton was found.
“The disturbing thing about this individual (the 62-year-old man) is when we first received tips that she could have possibly been in this area; we received a tip that said they saw her last in this area near a car wash,” Haider told reporters.
“Our Dearborn Heights detectives went to that location in search of her, and we’re canvassing the area, interviewing different businesses and talking to different people to see if anyone has seen Tasia.
“He is one of the people we spoke with at the time who denied seeing her,” Haider explained.
The chief also stated that investigators do not believe the man was forcing Keaton to stay with him.
“She was doing so, they believe voluntarily,” WWJ Newsradio 950’s Jon Hewett reported. “They believe that man may have had sexual relations with her.”
It is unclear whether the man will face charges for child sexual abuse, given that the legal age of consent in Michigan is 16. Possible charges against the man include lying to police.
His citizenship is also being investigated, according to the chief.
Keaton was interviewed by police and is currently in the care of Child Protective Services.
