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Man accused of killing, sexually assaulting 8-month-old released from custody

Posted at 4:14 PM, Apr 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-28 16:33:18-04

James Saltmarshall II has been released from police custody.

Saltmarshall, who wept uncontrollably during his last court appearance, is now a free man.

Prosecutors say they need more time to investigate and gather forensic evidence. So the judge released Saltmarshall on a personal bond. He has been placed on a GPS tether and is on house arrest, only allowed to leave his home to go to court or medical appointments.

Even his mother who spoke exclusively with 7 Action News doesn't agree with that decision.

Saltmarshall was staying in an Inkster motel with the baby. He called 911 last week to say she fell, hit her head, and wasn't breathing.

Investigators say she had injuries consistent with a sexual assault.

“At times we create monsters and I may have created one of those monsters,” his mother says.

Saltmarshall says her granddaughter's mother, who has not been charged, was also staying in the same room.

She was at work when Saltmarshall called for help and has since defended him on social media.

“I'm not understanding the Bonnie and Clyde relationship,” Saltmarshall’s mother says. “I don't understand it. And I think that both of them should be held.”

Saltmarshall's father declined to speak on camera but confirmed his son would be released with a GPS tether.

Saltmarshall must also avoid contact with children.

His mother warns those conditions won't keep her son out of trouble.

“If you tell him to go right he's going to go left,” she says. “He's not going to follow those rules.”

Should he violate any of the conditions of his release, he will be put back behind bars and held on a two million dollar bond.