DETROIT – One of the three men in custody in connection with the abduction and death of 13-year-old Deontae Mitchell was charged with kidnapping Saturday.
Earnest Coleman, 26, of Detroit, was charged with kidnapping.
It is alleged that Coleman kidnapped Mitchell with others at Nino's Market on East Warren Avenue about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday.
"The alleged facts in this case explicitly show that the lives of some of Detroit's children continue to be less important than everything else -- in this case a few dollars dropped from a pocket," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. "May we all re-examine the worth of our children, and we in the criminal justice system will handle the senseless murder of Deontae."
Saturday's charges are small step in what's expected to be lengthy court process.
Mitchell's family held a fundraiser at Dorais Park on Saturday where the 13-year-old would normally play. As people donated and bought dinners, his mother, Crystal Mitchell, told Local 4 it helps keep her mind off the tragic way her son died.
"We're coming together and hopefully the whole community will come out here with us," Crystal Mitchell said.
With the first charges being brought Saturday, investigators said Coleman helped the alleged gunman, Gregory Walker, kidnap, kill and dump Deontae Mitchell's body. Walker was found in Ohio and is awaiting to be extradited to Detroit.
"It's a relief they got all of them," Crystal Mitchell said. "I just hope it will bring the community closer and everybody wake up and the community needs to help raise the kids."
Coleman was arraigned Sunday in 34th District Court. He was given a $1 million bond.
The homicide investigation regarding Mitchell's death is ongoing.
A GoFundMe account was created to help with funeral costs.
What happened
Deontae Mitchell disappeared Tuesday night. He was riding bikes with his cousin near Nino's Market when they saw a drunk man urinating outside. the man dropped money and Mitchell picked it up, according to his cousin.
Video shows Mitchell being pursued by a man who grabbed the boy by his arm and forced him into a car.
Police believe that man was 45-year-old Gregory Walker, who was arrested Thursday with a woman in Toldeo, Ohio.
Mitchell's body was discovered at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday in a field near Harper Avenue and Baldwin Street.
A vigils were held Thursday evening at the scene where Mitchell's body was found and later at Nino's Market where Mitchell was last seen.
Autopsy complete
The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy on Mitchell’s body which was found Thursday in a field on the city’s east side.
The cause of death is pending. There was no indication of gunshot wounds.
4 in custody
Early in the investigation, police released photos of Walker and surveillance video from the store to try to find him.
READ: Suspect in abduction of missing Detroit teen arrested in Ohio
Walker was found Thursday morning in a motel room in Toledo, Ohio, and was taken into custody. A woman who was with Walker is also in custody, but on an unrelated felony warrant.
Police announced they were looking for two more men Thursday morning: Ernest Coleman and Roy Portis.
Coleman, 30, was taken into custody Thursday afternoon. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Coleman with kidnapping Saturday morning.
Portis, 51, was taken into custody Friday morning.
Anyone with information on the abduction is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAK-UP.
Mayor says city is grieving
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said Friday that the entire city is grieving with the Mitchell's family.
"The tragedy of Deontae Mitchell has touched the hearts of all Detroiters," Duggan said during a joint news conference with Police Chief James Craig.
Duggan said there is far too much violence in the city.
"The most terrible moment of being the mayor of Detroit is when the phone rings late at night and I see it's coming from Chief Craig," Duggan said.