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ALPENA -- An 18-year-old man accused of attempting to kidnap a young girl from her yard in May stood mute during an arraignment hearing in 26th Circuit Court on Tuesday.
That means the court will enter a not guilty plea on behalf of defendant Noah Adkins until either a plea deal is agreed upon or he decides to go to trial.
Tuesday was the first court appearance for Adkins after the case was moved up from Juvenile Court.
Judge Ed Black is presiding over the case.
Adkins appeared in the court via Zoom. Adkins is represented by Chief Deputy Public Defender Julie Miller. However, because of a scheduling issue, Chief Public Defender Rick Steiger represented Adkins during Tuesday's arraignment.
Adkins is currently facing charges of kidnapping-child enticement, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, and assault or assault and battery.
Adkins was first arraigned in 88th District court in late May, but, because Adkins was 17 at the time, his case was moved to Juvenile Court. However, on Aug. 17, his case was waived over to Circuit Court.
Adkins was arrested on May 10 after allegedly trying to kidnap and beat an 8-year-old girl in Alpena Township.
The Michigan State Police said then that Adkins approached the girl in her back yard and attempted to restrain her by covering her mouth. The alleged victim managed to successfully escape and her 13-year-old brother, who witnessed the alleged kidnapping attempt, shot Adkins with a slingshot in his head and chest, police and the girl's family said.
Later that day, Adkins was found at a nearby gas station, where he was identified by the wounds on his head and chest from the slingshot, police said.
While in custody, police said, he confessed that he planned to severely beat the alleged victim.
The incident -- especially the part of the story about the boy saving his sister -- made national news.
Temi Fadayomi can be reached at 989-358-5693 or tfadayomi@TheAlpenaNews.com.