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EATON RAPIDS, Mich. (WLNS) – Police confirmed on Monday that a 44-year-old Eaton Rapids woman who was charged with seven felony counts of criminal sexual conduct, is dead.
Eaton Rapids Police Chief Paul Malewski said that Misty Botke was found dead on Saturday night around 8 p.m. Officials would not confirm how she died, but did say on Sunday that they were investigating a suicide that happened Saturday night in the same neighborhood where Botke lived. Neighbors in the area say they believe Botke committed suicide.
Her death came less than a week after she was charged with four counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct.
For more than 20 years, Botke worked as a house parent at the VFW National Home for Children in Ingham County. The charges stem from abuse allegations that police started to investigate in August. Officials say she's accused of sexually abusing two boys at the VFW home at some point between 1998 and 2006, when both were under the age of 18.
Botke's lawyer calls her death "tragic," and says her family has been devastated by these events.
The VFW home where Botke worked released a statement on Sunday night that reads as follows:
"While we are heart-broken to learn about this tragedy and mourn the loss of any life lost, we remain focused on our children and families. This is a very difficult and heartbreaking situation and we will do whatever we can to make sure the children and families that we care for are protected. This includes making grief counselors available to help others through this very difficult time." -- Patrice Green, Executive Director, VFW National Home for Children
The Ingham County prosecutor's office says it plans to drop charges in the case. However, DHS officials say they do have an open investigation on the VFW home.
