BORDERLAND

Man accused of sexual misconduct found dead

11/15/2013

ADRIAN — Authorities are looking into the death of a Clinton, Mich., man who appears to have killed himself while being held in the Lenawee County jail on criminal sexual conduct and witness intimidation charges, authorities said.

Daniel Pitts, 34, was transported about 12:10 p.m. Wednesday to Bixby Hospital where attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, according to the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office. Foul play was not suspected, deputies said.

Mr. Pitts was in jail awaiting a preliminary examination hearing Tuesday in Lenawee County Circuit Court, deputies said. He was being held on three counts of witness intimidation and 26 first-degree felony charges of criminal sexual conduct involving the alleged abuse of a girl. Sixteen of those charges were from the time when she was younger than 13 and the rest when the girl was between 13 and 16.

He was arrested Jan. 4 at his mother's house in Dundee after the allegations were reported Dec. 31, according to police.

Each of the sexual misconduct counts carries a possible life sentence.