Man with contagious diseases accused of kissing teen

Wyandotte — A 44-year-old man with multiple contagious diseases has been arraigned on assault charges, accused of forcibly kissing a 15-year-old girl, police said.

Kevin Bernard Sketoe was arraigned Monday in 27th District Court on two counts of assault and battery after the incident around 5 p.m. Saturday near Bishop Park on the Detroit River, Inspector James Pouliot said.

He remained jailed Wednesday on $5,000, 10 percent bond, according to jail officials. Wyandotte police previously reported Sketoe had been released.

The Southgate resident is accused of kissing the Wyandotte teen after meeting her in the park and repeatedly asking her to party with him, Pouliot said.

Sketoe later told police he has hepatitis C and tuberculosis, Pouliot said. The man said he did not know if he is HIV positive.

He is accused of approaching the victim and her 15-year-old friend in the park and asking both teens to party, Pouliot said. One girl agreed to accompany him to a nearby 7-Eleven.

“They stopped on Biddle Avenue and he reached over and grabbed her by the face and kissed her, tongue and all,” Pouliot said. “She pushed away, and he basically did it again.”

Sketoe allegedly entered the store to purchase beer while the teen waited outside, Pouliot said. While Sketoe was inside the store, the girl walked back to the park to rejoin her friend.

“(Sketoe) went back to the park and found them,” Pouliot said. “The girls were telling him to leave them alone, but he stated that if they did not party with him, it would be a ‘bad mistake.’”

Sketoe then left and the girls called a friend to the park, Pouliot said. Their friend arrived and immediately called 911.

“Officers found Mr. Sketoe in the park; he was highly intoxicated, having a hard time keeping his balance, his speech slow and slurred,” Pouliot said. “He indicated that he had a lot to drink.”

Sketoe was arrested and booked at the police station, where he revealed his medical history.

The victim was taken to a hospital to seek testing and treatment, Pouliot said.

Sketoe is due back in court Oct. 8 for a pretrial hearing.

hfournier@detroitnews.com

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