Posted on 09/28/2026 12:39:03 PM PDT by DFG
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Newbern, Tennessee man charged with the kidnapping and attempted rape of a little girl this week was indicted in 2020 for the rape of a 95-year-old in the same community, according to the Newbern Police Department.
Steven Devonte Harris was arrested Thursday after allegedly kidnapping a 10-year-old girl from her home in Newbern. She was able to escape and get help.
But it wasn’t the first time he has been accused of a sex crime.
Police said on the morning of November 27, 2019, a man forced his way into a Newbern residence, stole several items, and sexually assaulted an elderly victim.
Harris, who was 24 at the time, was charged with Aggravated Rape, Aggravated Sexual Assault, and Aggravated Burglary.
Newbern Police Chief Greg Barr, who was not with the department at the time, said Harris pleaded down to aggravated assault.
The Tennessee Department of Correction said Harris served a four-year, six-month sentence for aggravated assault in Dyer County that expired March 12, 2023.
Thursday, Harris was charged with Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, two counts of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Burglary, and Attempted Rape of a Child and booked into the Dyer County Jail.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, during the early morning hours of September 23, the 10-year-old victim was abducted from her home on E. Johnson Street, threatened and assaulted.
During the kidnapping, the girl was able to briefly escape before the suspect caught up with her again. The TBI said in that moment of escape, she sought help from a nearby neighbor, whose quick actions helped save her life.
“PARENTS BEWARE!!!!!!! A man just broke into my home & kidnapped my daughter in NEWBERN TENNESSEE!!!!!!! He ripped out the window AC to her bedroom window & drug her out of the house into the woods!!!!!!!! THERE IS A MONSTER IN OUR HOME TOWN!!!!!!” said the victim’s mother in a Facebook post.
“We are relieved and happy we were able to get all the resources to pick him up on this crime,” said Chief Greg Barr.
Chief Barr said the TBI took over the case that day. Harris was arrested hours later in the 600 block of N. Grayson Street.
“We are glad the case came to a quick resolution, and we got him off the streets,” said Chief Barr. “We will continue to support the TBI any way we can with the case.”
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it collected DNA evidence and submitted it to the Crime Lab for testing, including Rapid DNA processing. Investigators said the results led to Harris’s identification and arrest.
The victim’s mother said guardian angels were watching over her child.
“My baby is alive and safe. That is all I could ask for. Time to help my baby heal,” she said.
There is no word on when Harris will make his first court appearance.
“That’s a fine justice system you got there. Be a shame if something happened to it”
Like leftist judges supported by democrats and most Republicans. Lady Justice is no longer blind.
We are becoming a nation of men, not laws. In contravention to every founding principle.
I am sorry to say this and it may sound terrible.... but shame on the male relatives of the 95 year old woman. This is ultimately their fault.
There is no chance that someone who raped my mother or grandmother would breathe free air. Absolutely zero chance.
4 1/2 years for raping a 95 year old woman. Why bother?
Pled down to aggravated assault instead of aggravated rape.
“ Man accused of kidnapping girl indicted in 2020 for rape of 95-year-old”
Talk about a confusing headline. Where are the editors??
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Well it does raise the question of whether the girl indicted for the rape of the 95-yesr-old was ever convicted.
Snicker. I'm not trying to make light of a tragic situation, but this headline just doesn't do justice.
Kind of like all the judges and prosecutors involved in this case.
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