COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Coldwater man is among four suspects who have been charged by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette for allegedly being part of a conspiracy to kidnap, rape and murder a young child and then disposing of the body.
Following an investigation by the Michigan State Police, Schuette has charged 37-year-old David Bailey of Coldwater, 32-year-old Matthew Toole of Battle Creek, 32-year-old Talia Furman of Springfield and 19-year-old Jayme LaPointe of Athens.
All of the suspects are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping and Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree. All of the crimes carry maximum sentences of life in prison if the defendants are found guilty.
The defendants are now in custody after being apprehended by the Michigan State Police and are awaiting arraignment in Branch County District Court.
Investigators say the group was plotting to kidnap a child from a county fair, parade, or supermarket parking lot and abuse the child until they died.
LaPointe was originally charged on July 31st with four counts in a child sex and pornography case and was ordered held without bond.
She was charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct, child abusive commercial activity, using computers to commit a crime and distribution and promotion of child abusive commercial activity.
Court documents indicate the alleged victim in the case is a two-year-old girl. The alleged crimes took place in October 2017 while Lapoint was babysitting the youngster. Counts two, three and four were filed for her alleged use of a cell phone to send video to her husband of the sex acts.
