$1 Million Bond Remains for Northville Man Accused of Child Abuse

A judge ruled Friday not to decrease Dylan James Dunlap's $1 million bond in a case of child abuse charges against him.

Dunlap, 19, was charged after police say he repeatedly hit and burned a 23-month-old with a lighter. His arraignment last week included multiple charges, one of them being torture, which carries a potential sentence of life in prison. Other charges Dunlap is facing include first-degree child abuse and assault.

"These are incredibly serious offenses," Judge James A. Plakas said at Dunlap's preliminary examination in 35th District Court Friday in Plymouth.

He denied the request because he said there is a victim involved and it's affecting the whole community.

Dunlap and his attorney asked Plakas to adjourn his preliminary examination. His attorney, Robert Mullen, said he needs more time for the case because it involves several lengthy documents, including medical reports.

According to Wayne County prosecutors, Dunlap was left in charge of the toddler, his girlfriend's nephew, last week at an apartment located in the 19400 block of Northridge Drive.

Police say Dunlap hit the boy multiple times on the head, torso and legs and held a lighter to the child’s skin causing burns on his chest, palm, thumb and wrist.

A trial is set for June 21 at 35th District Court. 

Olivia Kwiatkowski, Dunlap's girlfriend and the toddler's aunt, was arraigned Friday on charges relating to the abuse of her 23-month-old nephew.