Police: Man drove to Michigan for sex with girl, 12

BYRON CENTER, Mich. – A 35-year-old Indiana man is accused of driving to west Michigan for sex with a 12-year-old girl.

Brian Carrier was in a Kent County court Wednesday for a probable cause hearing on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to court documents, Carrier drove from Fort Wayne, Ind., to Wayland back in December to pick up a 12-year-old girl with whom he'd been exchanging text messages.

Documents show he took her to the Baymont Inn in Byron Center, where he's accused of sexually assaulting her three different times.

Carrier's is just one of many sexual assault cases involving minors in the news recently.

WZZM 13 spoke to an expert at Safe Harbor, a child advocacy center in Allegan County, about the number of cases. Executive director Lori Antkoviak said she believes children are becoming more comfortable about coming forward with allegations of abuse.

"So, in a way, we're creating awareness to let children know it's safe to tell when something has happened to them they know is wrong," Antkoviak said. "So, there's awareness at children's level, and even more at adults...telling them what do to do, if a child discloses sexual abuse to you."

In the case involving Carrier, he was offered a plea deal. His charges could be reduced from three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct to just one count.

As Carrier considers that deal, he's been bound over to circuit court for trial. He's held in the Kent County jail without bond.

Sarah Sell is a reporter for WZZM (Channel 13) in west Michigan.