Why did a man show up at a school in Hartland with a bullet proof vest on?
It is just one of many questions the Livingston County Sheriff is working to answer today, as the man remains locked up in jail for what happened next.
The Livingston County Sheriff says when 20-year-old George Benizer arrived to speak with a child at the school on Wednesday, it wasn’t too surprising.
The child’s mom had called and informed the school he would be there to have lunch with the child.
“His story was that he was there to interview this 9-year-old,” said Sheriff Michael Murphy, of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.
However administrators at the Charyl Stockwell Academy in Hartland just didn’t feel comfortable, investigators say. It was suspicious that the man had on a bullet proof vest, and he just seemed off.
“He didn’t have an explanation for the vest,” said Sheriff Murphy.
The school called 911 as the man left the building.
The Whitmore Lake man then allegedly drove a short distance in the parking lot. The Livingston County Sheriff’s office says a state motor carrier officer was nearby responded and found the 20-year-old man drunk.
Investigators say his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. They asked why he needed to talk to the child and became concerned.
“Very cryptic in that as well,” said Sheriff Murphy. “He stated he worked for a private investigator firm, then it turned into he works for the State of Michigan. We were unable to determine who he works for, if anybody.”
Investigators still have a lot of questions. They have called in Child Protective Services to make sure the child is safe.
Benizer was charged with Operating While Intoxicated High Blood Alcohol Content, having an open intoxicant, trespassing, and possession of alcohol while underage.
