Trial is set for a Wixom man accused of sexually assaulting and killing his girlfriend’s child.

Jury selection is set to begin March 31, 2025 in Oakland County Circuit Court for Christopher Savage, 25, charged with first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault for the attack on McKinley Hardy. McKinley was just one year old when she died last June.

According to the Oakland County District Attorney’s Office, McKinley had been left in Savage’s care and he was the only one with her when she was injured. Police found the baby unresponsive when they were called to a home in the 30000 block of Tamarack Drive in The Village apartments on June 1. Savage and McKinley’s mother performed CPR on him when officers arrived.

First-degree criminal sexual conduct involves sexual penetration and is punishable by life in prison, as is first-degree child abuse. First degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

In 2022, another young child suffered fatal injuries at The Village apartments at the hands of his mother’s then-boyfriend, Deangelo Hawkins. Jaice DuPont was left in the care of Hawkins, who inflicted a serious head injury on the 4-year-old. Jaice died at Mott Children’s Hospital five days after being injured, never recovering from the attack. Hawkins called 911 and allegedly told police the child was injured when she fell while brushing her teeth.

Hawkins had a trial in Oakland County Circuit Court and was found guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse. Last December, he was sentenced to life in prison.

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Originally published: October 31, 2024 at 4:43 PM EDT