The exact date of birth for Na’Ziyah Harris is September 16, 2010. This date has become a somber milestone for the city of Detroit and for the family of the teenager who disappeared in early 2024. In the context of the criminal investigation and subsequent legal proceedings, her birthday served not only as a reminder of her youth but also as a temporal marker for investigators tracking the movements of her killer.

At the time of her disappearance on January 9, 2024, Na’Ziyah was 13 years old. Her 14th birthday, which occurred on September 16, 2024, was marked by community vigils and intensified police efforts, while her 15th birthday in 2025 became a symbol of the long-term struggle for justice in a case that eventually led to a high-profile murder conviction in early 2026.

Verification of Na’Ziyah Harris’s Birth Date and Age

The confirmation of Na’Ziyah Harris’s birthday as September 16, 2010, is corroborated by law enforcement records from the Detroit Police Department and missing person databases such as the Charley Project and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). When she was last seen getting off a school bus at Cornwall and 3 Mile in Detroit, she was in the eighth grade at J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy.

There has been some conflicting information on certain web platforms regarding her birth date, with some automated obituary sites erroneously listing dates in June 2013. However, investigative timelines established by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Public Safety Department consistently reference her age and milestones based on the September 16, 2010 date. By the time her 14th birthday arrived in September 2024, the investigation had transitioned from a missing person search to a homicide inquiry, though her body remained undiscovered.

Timeline of the Disappearance and Investigation

To understand the weight of the September 16 date, one must examine the chronology of the events that began eight months prior to her 14th birthday.

January 9, 2024: The Last Sighting

Na’Ziyah Harris attended school as usual on January 9, 2024. Evidence presented during later court proceedings revealed that during school hours, she used her school-issued tablet to communicate with Jarvis Ramon Butts. Butts was a known figure to the family, as he was the father of Na’Ziyah’s aunt’s five children.

After school concluded, Na’Ziyah was seen getting off her bus. However, instead of returning home, she met with Butts and another individual at an auto repair shop located on Connor Street in Detroit. The trio reportedly traveled to Ypsilanti, Michigan, before returning to the repair shop. That evening, Butts checked into a hotel; Na’Ziyah was never seen alive again.

The Initial Search Efforts

Na’Ziyah’s grandmother, who was her adoptive mother, began searching for the teen when she did not arrive home by 6:00 p.m. on the day of her disappearance. A formal police report was filed the following morning, January 10, 2024. Initial efforts were handled by the DPSCD Public Safety Department before being handed over to the Detroit Police Department (DPD) due to the suspicious circumstances and the age of the victim.

Over the following months, the DPD and federal partners executed numerous search warrants. These searches included:

  • Ground searches in Detroit neighborhoods.
  • Diving operations in a pond in Clinton Township.
  • Forensic sweeps in Pittsfield Township.
  • Searches in the area of 7 Mile and Berg Road near the Rouge River.

The Evidence at 7 Mile and Berg Road

One of the most critical breakthroughs in the investigation occurred near the Rouge River. Search teams discovered several personal items belonging to Na’Ziyah, including:

  • Her school identification card.
  • Her earphones.
  • Damaged clothing consistent with a physical struggle.

Most notably, a pink, black, and white puffy "Rugrats" coat with a fur-lined hood—the garment Na’Ziyah was wearing when she was last seen—was recovered. Forensic analysis of this clothing proved pivotal. DNA belonging to Jarvis Butts was found on the items. Furthermore, cell phone records indicated that Butts’ phone was active in the exact area where the clothing was found between 11:40 p.m. on January 10 and 1:34 a.m. on January 11, 2024.

Commemorating the 14th Birthday: September 16, 2024

By September 16, 2024, Na’Ziyah had been missing for over eight months. The Detroit community utilized her 14th birthday to keep the case in the public eye. A vigil was held where family members, schoolmates from J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy, and local activists gathered to honor her.

The tone of this birthday was significantly different from previous years. It was no longer a celebration of growth but a demand for answers. Detroit Police Chief James White and other officials reiterated their commitment to the case on this day, acknowledging the pain of a family missing a child on such a significant milestone. The 14th birthday also served as a deadline of sorts for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, which was at that time reviewing a comprehensive warrant request against Jarvis Butts.

Legal Proceedings and the Conviction of Jarvis Butts

The investigation eventually shifted toward formal prosecution as the evidence against Jarvis Butts became overwhelming.

Charges and Allegations

In October 2024, shortly after what would have been Na’Ziyah’s 14th birthday, Jarvis Butts was officially charged. The charges included:

  1. First-degree premeditated murder.
  2. Child sexually abusive activity.
  3. Criminal sexual conduct in the second degree.

Prosecutors alleged a disturbing pattern of behavior. Evidence suggested that Butts had been grooming Na’Ziyah since September 2022, sending her sexually explicit messages. By September 2023, the month of her 13th birthday, communication indicated that Na’Ziyah feared she might be pregnant. Digital forensics revealed that Butts had performed internet searches regarding abortions and the ingestion of red antifreeze during the months leading up to her disappearance. The prosecution’s theory was that Butts attempted a clandestine and dangerous medical procedure on the minor, which resulted in her death.

The Plea Bargain and Sentencing

The legal battle culminated in February 2026. Jarvis Butts reached a plea agreement with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. He pleaded guilty to:

  • Second-degree murder in the death of Na’Ziyah Harris.
  • Multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct involving five other minors (unrelated cases dating back to 2012).

In March 2026, Jarvis Butts was sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison. A critical component of the plea agreement was the requirement for Butts to provide truthful information regarding the location of Na’Ziyah’s remains. This condition was intended to provide the family with the closure of a proper burial, a goal that had been central to the community's prayers since her disappearance.

Addressing Online Misinformation Regarding the Birthday

As with many high-profile missing person cases, the digital footprint of Na’Ziyah Harris’s story has been clouded by misinformation. Some platforms, utilizing low-quality data scraping or AI-generated content, have published articles claiming Na’Ziyah was a "rising voice" or a professional in various fields, often using the wrong birth year or month.

It is crucial for researchers and the public to distinguish between verified news reports and these "content farm" outputs. The verified facts remain:

  • Birth Date: September 16, 2010.
  • Status: Deceased (as per court conviction), though her body remained the subject of recovery efforts as of early 2026.
  • Identity: A Detroit student and beloved family member, not a public figure or professional as some rogue blogs suggest.

The Legacy of the Case in Detroit

The search for Na’Ziyah Harris and the milestones of her birthdays have prompted discussions regarding child safety and the effectiveness of local missing person protocols. The transition of the case from school district police to the city’s major crimes unit highlighted the need for rapid escalation in cases involving endangered minors.

Furthermore, the "Rugrats" coat became an iconic image in Detroit, symbolizing the innocence of the victim. The community’s persistence in marking September 16 each year ensures that the case is not forgotten, even as the legal system has moved toward a resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the exact birthday of Na’Ziyah Harris?

Na’Ziyah Harris was born on September 16, 2010. She would have turned 14 in 2024 and 15 in 2025.

How old was Na’Ziyah Harris when she went missing?

She was 13 years old at the time of her disappearance on January 9, 2024.

Has Na’Ziyah Harris been found?

As of the sentencing of Jarvis Butts in March 2026, her body had not been publicly reported as recovered, though the defendant agreed to provide information on her location as part of his plea deal.

Who was convicted in the Na’Ziyah Harris case?

Jarvis Ramon Butts pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with her death. He was sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison.

Why was September 16, 2024, important for the case?

It was her 14th birthday. The date was used by the Detroit community and law enforcement to renew public interest in the case and pressure for legal action, which followed shortly after in October 2024.

Conclusion

The birthday of Na’Ziyah Harris, September 16, 2010, represents more than just a date on a calendar; it is a vital piece of the narrative surrounding one of Detroit’s most tragic missing person cases. From the grooming that began around her 12th birthday to the murder charges filed after her 14th, the timeline of her life was cruelly intertwined with the actions of a convicted predator. While the legal system has delivered a prison sentence for Jarvis Butts, the focus remains on the fulfillment of the plea agreement to locate Na’Ziyah's remains and provide her family with the peace that has been elusive since January 2024. The persistence of the community in remembering her on each September 16 serves as a testament to her impact and a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable youth.