A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to two felonies connected to the assault of a 12-year-old girl at Inglenook Park in Southfield and has since been released on bond while awaiting sentencing in Oakland County Circuit Court, New Media Detroit has exclusively learned.
According to court records (attached at the bottom of the post,) 20-year-old DeAngelo Steele pleaded guilty as charged to Unarmed Robbery and Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes, acknowledging that he understood the offenses and the maximum penalties, which include up to 15 years in prison. The plea was accepted by Judge Cheryl Matthews on December 9.
A third original charge, Criminal Sexual Conduct, 2nd Degree was dismissed during the court process.
RELATED: Two Men Arrested In Separate Sexual Assault Cases Involving Minors In Southfield
Steele was initially held on a $10,000 cash or surety bond, which required 10%, $1,000 to secure his release pending further court action. Following his plea, the court modified his bond conditions to allow him to leave home only to attend scheduled Social Security Administration interviews, with 24-hour advance notice required prior to any approved travel.
Steele is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on January 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in Pontiac.
According to information released at the time of his arrest, the 12-year-old victim was at Inglenook Park on the night of September 17 when Steele approached her and asked to borrow her cellphone to call his mother. After she handed over the phone, Steele allegedly ran from the area with the device. When she confronted him, investigators say he pushed her, ripped her shirt, and demanded a sex act in exchange for the phone. Police also reported that Steele touched the victim inappropriately before officers located and arrested him at the park.
Authorities stated that Steele and the victim lived near the park but did not know each other. Southfield Police have encouraged parents to talk with their children and to report any concerns about additional possible victims.
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