R. Kelly reportedly under investigation in Detroit

The sexual assault investigation does not relate to the 10 charges Kelly already faces.

March 07, 2019
R. Kelly reportedly under investigation in Detroit R. Kelly arrives at the Daley Center for his hearing on March 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly was in court after failing to pay more than $160,000 in child support.   Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty

The Detroit Police Department is investigating allegations that R. Kelly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in Detroit in 2001, the Detroit Free Press reports.

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A statement confirming the investigation was issued on Wednesday by Police Chief James Craig. He said his department is trying to contact the alleged victim.

"We are aware of the allegations made against R. Kelly that possibly occurred in 2001. Approximately a month ago, we (had) receive(d) information from Chicago Police Department of a victim, who lives out of state, who had made (an) allegation of a criminal sexual conduct incident against R. Kelly. The incident allegedly occurred in the City of Detroit when the victim was 13 years old," Craig is quoted as saying.

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"Based on the information received we have made several attempts to follow up with the victim. We have reached out, at the direction of the victim, to her lawyer and we are eagerly waiting to speak to her concerning the allegations. Right now, we have not made contact with her."

Additionally, CBS 2 Chicago reports that Detroit detectives are investigating allegations that Kelly and the girl had sex at a hotel in Detroit in December 2001, and again a few weeks later at a recording studio in the city.

It is alleged in their report that the girl visited Kelly at his home in Atlanta over the next four years. It is also alleged that the singer gave her herpes when she was 17. Kelly's defense attorney, Steve Greenberg, was not immediately available for comment.

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Kelly was back in custody on Wednesday over unpaid child support payments. His arrest came hours after an interview with CBS This Morning's Gayle King was broadcast on morning TV. The singer is out on bail after being accused of sexually abusing four women, including three who were underage at the time. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse.

R. Kelly reportedly under investigation in Detroit