Bond Lowered For Man Accused Of Sex Abuse, Murder Of 8-Month-Old

DETROIT, MI — Bond was lowered Thursday for a Detroit man accused of sexually abusing and then killing his 8-month-old daughter at an Inkster hotel last week, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. James Lee Saltmarshall, 22, can be freed if he posts 10 percent of a $2 million bond.

Worthy requested the bond reduction during Saltmarshall’s probable cause conference on charges of felony murder, first-degree child abuse and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Additional time is needed for forensic testing before Saltmarshall’s preliminary examination, now scheduled for 9 a.m. on July 6.

These charges were dismissed June 29. Read more.

The child’s mother left Saltmarshall and the infant alone at the hotel on the 2600 block of Michigan Avenue when she went to work on the morning of April 20, Worthy’s office said in a statement. At about 4:23 p.m. the same day, Inkster police were called to assist the fire department in taking the unresponsive infant to a hospital for treatment. She died on April 23.

Prosecutors accuse Saltmarshall of killing the infant by causing trauma to her head. An examination showed evidence of rectal tearing, according to the statement.

If Saltmarshall is released, he must wear a GPS tether, and 22nd District Court Sabrina Johnson ordered that he have no contact with children under 17 years of age.

Photo via Wayne County Prosecutor's Office