Northville man charged for running away with 15-year-old girl

Robert Louis Messer facing criminal sexual conduct charges for incident with Plymouth Township girl

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – A 37-year-old Northville man has been charged on allegations he ran away with a 15-year-old girl and had sexual relations with her.  

Robert Louis Messer was arraigned Thursday on criminal sexual conduct and accosting a minor charges.

His bond was set at $2 million. A preliminary examination is scheduled for Nov. 8.

Messer told the judge he was "not a threat to anyone."

It is alleged that Messer and the teenage girl left the area together on Sunday. Police said they each left notes for their families declaring their love for one another.

Police and family members had been looking for the two until they were found Tuesday in Washtenaw County.

Lisa Schwartz, the teenager's mother, said she and her children first met Messer eight years ago at a church.

"He was like a brother to me and was like my kids' dad." Schwartz said.

Schwartz said she never notice any red flags in the relationship.

"They never held hands, or acted romantically involved," Schwartz asked.