No charges against boy in alleged sexual assault

Evidence from an October 28 house party hosted by two Cranbrook Kingswood High School students in Oakland Township where two girls alleged they were sexually assaulted by a fellow Cranbrook student has been presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office by the Oakland County Sheriff, and the prosecutor’s office will not file charges against the male student, according to chief deputy prosecutor Paul Walton.

Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe said the victims, ages 16 and 17, both Cranbrook students, spoke with investigators in the two days following an alleged house party where it is believed about 100 youth gathered. The victims told investigators they were sexually assaulted at the home while attending the party. Unconfirmed reports indicated that one of the students eventually stopped cooperating with authorities and her complaint was withdrawn.

According to a source, the boy accused of the sexual assault passed two lie detector tests. Walton said he had no idea about a polygraph, but he also would not – and could not – comment about a polygraph, or lie detector test, but under state statute, “someone accused of sexual assault can request a polygraph.”

It is a misdemeanor for a prosecutor to reveal polygraph results.

Aside from the two sexual assault investigations, detectives have been interested in learning more about who hosted the party, whether they supplied alcohol to minors and additional details.

The father of one of the two girls who hosted the party is the owner of the home and was home at the time of the party, according to several sources.

Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe said, “We know for a fact that an adult was there. If there was involvement and facilitation, there will be criminal charges.” Information could help in potential enforcement of local and state ordinances regarding alcohol-related laws, such as hosting and furnishing alcohol to minors or contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Cranbrook is said to have done their own internal investigation of the party, but has been tight-lipped in relaying what, if any, repercussions there has been for students who may have been at the party, consumed alcohol, hosted, or possibly were involved in the alleged sexual assault.

Clay Matthews, spokesperson for the school, said in a prepared statement, “The safety of our students is Cranbrook’s highest priority. While we do not, as a matter of policy, provide details on specific student matters, we can say that we have completed our investigation and will continue to take appropriate action.”

In addition, Cranbrook Schools has a Parent Code of Conduct which holds students responsible for inappropriate actions by a parent, such as hosting a house party with alcohol, which parents must sign at the beginning of each school year, and if it is violated a student can be suspended or expelled.

Matthews refused to comment regarding an out-of-state student who was expelled after returning to the dorm drunk after the party. There are also unconfirmed reports that the two female students who hosted the party had appeared before a student/faculty review panel and there was no recommendation for penalties for the two students.

Walton said they are continuing to investigate the party, and the father is part of the investigation.