SAGINAW COUNTY, MI (WNEM) -
A Buena Vista Township police officer has been charged in the strangulation death of a woman near the end of her pregnancy whose body was found in August near a law enforcement gun range.
Kenneth Bluew was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder, felony firearm and assault of a pregnant individual resulting in death of a fetus. He faces the charges in the death of 32-year-old Jennifer Webb and the unborn child.
Webb's body was found on Aug. 31 in Buena Vista near a gun range used by law enforcement, which is just east of Saginaw.
TV5's Liz Gelardi broke the story of the arrest. Sources told her Michigan State Police took Bluew into custody just after 6 p.m. Monday in the greater Detroit-area.
Saginaw County Prosecutor Mike Thomas has been the only person allowed to comment on this case. He has released very little information, but Gelardi has learned other details surrounding the murder.
Sources told TV5 Bluew was in a relationship with Webb. She was weeks away from giving birth. The officer is also believed to be the father of that child.
Thomas said Bluew was at the scene of the crime the following day in an official capacity. "He was acting as part of his duty," said Thomas. "Obviously what Mr. Bluew was doing before is going to be the subject of this preliminary examination."
Webb's father told Gelardi he is relieved police have made an arrest.
"It can't say it was joy, it was good it means there is things happening because we was having doubts," said Donald Webb.
Michigan State Police were assigned to the investigation after Buena Vista Township Police Chief Brian Booker learned that Bluew was a suspect. The department has suspended the officer.
TV5 has learned that the Gratiot County Jail will house Bluew until his trial.
Sheriff Rick Beracy tells TV5 that Bluew is not the first officer they've housed for another county, and that he will not get any special treatment at the jail because of his law enforcement history.
It's not known at this time if Bluew had a lawyer. He was arraigned Tuesday morning.
Bluew served as the Chief of Police in Tittabawassee Township before taking the job in Buena Vista Township. His next court date is Monday.
Copyright 2011 WNEM. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Kenneth Bluew
