Press Release  Miguel Rivera Charged with Child Rape in Ongoing Death Investigation

Lawrence, Massachusetts — The man charged in connection with the death of an 11-year old Haverhill girl is now accused of child rape.   

 Miguel Rivera, 58, of Lawrence, appeared in Lawrence District Court this morning for a dangerousness hearing and was arraigned on an additional charge of rape of a child with force.  The rape is alleged to have occurred on December 15, 2019.  He was arraigned last week on permitting substantial bodily injury to a child and misleading a police investigation in connection with the death of an 11-year old girl.  Judge Michael Brooks found him dangerousness and ordered him held without bail.  A probable cause hearing is scheduled for March 13, 2019.

 On December 15, 2018, Lawrence Police and Emergency services responded to 233 Jackson Street for a call requesting medical assistance.  They found an 11-year old girl unresponsive and transported her to Lawrence General Hospital.  She was then med-flighted to Tufts Medical Center where she died.  Since then, her death has been under investigation by the Essex District Attorney’s Office, the Essex State Police Detective Unit and the Lawrence Police.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and collected evidence that resulted in the rape charge but has not yet ruled on a cause and manner of death.  The investigation is ongoing and therefore, it is possible that more charges could issue.   

The defendant is represented by Attorney John Morris and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

###