Who is Michael S Geiger? Man held in probe into rape and murder of 2-year-old Caliyah Guyton
ENID, OKLAHOMA: A 51-year-old male is being held by Enid police as part of an ongoing investigation into the sexual assault and homicide of a 2-year-old child at the Grand Prairie Motel early Thursday, April 28. According to the Enid Police Department, Michael S Geiger was apprehended on the rooftop of a building near the Grand Prairie Hotel, at 9:13 am after seven hours of long search. He had blood on his body and hands. He was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree rape, and kidnapping.
Following a 911 call reporting a small child drowning in the motel pool, police arrived at the location on Thursday, April 28 at 1:47 am to find that the victim, Caliyah J. Guyton, a 2-year-old girl, had been lifted from the pool. Officers administered CPR until Life EMS came and took her to Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, where she was declared dead. According to Enid Police Department, Guyton suffered injuries associated with a sexual assault. Her body was found floating in the motel's pool with orange shorts around her neck.
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Geiger was identified as a person of interest in the girl's death by officers. Geiger escaped the hotel before EPD arrived and was last spotted walking northwest on foot. According to the police, a K-9 officer arrived on the site to start a pursuit, but Geiger's trail was lost around Richland Road when it started raining. After EPD published an initial social media post regarding the killing before Geiger's arrest, several tips were received.
Geiger was released from Department of Corrections custody in March 2022 after serving a 10-year-sentence for kidnapping in Oklahoma County. News 9 reported that Geiger was denied parole in Oct 2021 due to multiple behavioral incidents while incarcerated. According to Pardon and Parole Board investigation documents, those incidents include meth usage in prison, injuring a detention officer, and violence toward other inmates. He was serving time for a drug deal turned car theft in which he and another held the victim at gunpoint. Police say Geiger did not confess during interrogation.
Prior to the arrest, during the initial investigation first responders are alleged to have discovered keys in the toddler's pockets belonging to two rooms Geiger had rented there. Investigators suspect Geiger met the girl and her family at the pool and may have lured the toddler with 'chips or candy', according to court records. Caliyah and her grandfather went to sleep in the family's hotel room hours later, while her parents met with Geiger in one of his rooms to hang out together, with evidence indicating that methamphetamine and alcohol were consumed.
Geiger allegedly offered Caliyah's mother, Chelsea Guyton, $5,000 to spend 24 hours with him at some time, according to court filings. Chelsea declined, but she and her companion allegedly located a lady willing to spend time with Geiger and left the hotel to find her. Geiger was last seen leaving the hotel at 11:47 pm, wearing gloves and with a pillowcase. A hotel clerk noticed Geiger's unusual behavior and informed a maintenance worker, who went to check and saw Geiger strolling out of his room carrying what seemed to be a doll.
According to court papers obtained by KFOR, officers investigating discovered 'a very bloody scene' at Geiger's rooms. Geiger may have tried to entice Caliyah to the room, which featured gummy worms on the bed, drink bottles, and cartoons on the television, according to authorities. During an interview, Geiger did not admit to the crimes, but did make statements that corroborated physical evidence collected at the scene, according to police. Both the girl's family and Geiger, who was in the area for work, were staying at the hotel, according to authorities. The inquiry is still under progress. Lt. Bryan Hart said, “This was an aggravated assault on an innocent child and a very disturbing incident. We’re glad this case was brought to an end in a timely manner with Mr. Geiger’s arrest.”
Caliyah’s mother, Chelsea told KFOR news, “She was amazing. She was smart. She brightened everyone’s day.” She also said that the family is appreciative to those who have offered assistance as well as the Enid Police Department for their efforts in apprehending the culprit. Meanwhile, People of the Enid community planned a memorial service in memory of Guyton. They've set up a Facebook page with the following message: "Celebrate the life of a sweet child who was killed on April 28th here in Enid. We invite all to attend. Bring candles if you wish! Also inviting bikers, car clubs, truck clubs, anyone and anything!"