Northville Township Man's Sentencing Delayed in Child Abuse Case

Dylan James Dunlap, of Northville Township, was scheduled to face sentencing last week for child abuse and torture charges against him. His hearing has been postponed to Nov. 12, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, at the request of the defense. 

Dunlap was charged with striking his girlfriend's 23-month-old nephew multiple times in the head, torso and legs and burning him with a lighter.

"That poor kid looks like he just spent three minutes in the ring with Mike Tyson," said James A. Plakas at a preliminary hearing in July at 35th District Court, as he looked at photos of the toddler's injuries. 

See a video of the judge's statement.

Dunlap, then 19, was left in charge of a toddler with his girlfriend, who is the child's aunt, in May at an apartment on Northridge Drive in Northville Township. His charges include child abuse to the first degree, torture and assault with intent to do great bodily harm, both of which carry potential life sentences. 

He will face sentencing 9 a.m. Nov. 12 before Third Circuit Court Judge David A. Groner.