Woman accused of sexually assaulting granddaughter heads to trial
LOWELL, Mich. — A Lowell grandmother accused of sexually assaulting her 3-year-old granddaughter will head to trial, according to Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker.
Heather Wallace, 43, whose married name is Heather Ann Smith, waived her preliminary hearing Wednesday, Becker said.
She was charged March 14 for the alleged sexual assault that took place in November, according to Lowell Police Department.
- Previous coverage: Grandmother charged for alleged sexual assault of 3-year-old granddaughter
An investigation against Wallace began after Lowell police received a tip from Hillsdale Police Department pertaining to a sexual assault case involving someone Wallace had met on a dating app, police said.
Wallace had contacted Hillsdale police about the man, reported he asked her to take photos of her granddaughter and sexually assault her, and said she didn't comply to his request.
However, through their own investigation, Lowell police determined that Wallace sexually assaulted her granddaughter during video chats with the man as she was caring for the toddler, according to police.
Wallace was charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct, aggravated child sexually abusive activity, aggravated possession of child sexually abusive materials, and using a computer to commit a crime, which carries a minimum sentence of 20 years, according to police.
A Coldwater-area man involved in the alleged assaults was also arrested and charged, police said.
It is unknown when Wallace will be returning to court, Becker told News Channel 3.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Lowell Police Department at 616-897-7123, or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
In addition, anyone who is experiencing or is aware of sexual assault is encouraged to contact local police or the YWCA of West Michigan at 616-454-9922.
