An Ypsilanti High School student who prosecutors say stabbed a female student at least 12 times on school property accepted a plea deal Wednesday in Washtenaw County Trial Court.

Cortae Diaz Kelly, 17, of Ypsilanti, pleaded guilty to carrying a weapon with unlawful intent—punishable by a maximum 5-year sentence— and assault with intent to murder, which carries a possible life sentence. Prosecutors in exchange waived second counts of both felony charges.

Cortae Diaz Kelly

Police said the Feb. 1 attack was reported by a person walking on a trail near the Ypsilanti High School football field on Packard Road. That passerby found the 17-year-old female and called 911. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition with stab wounds to her head, back and hands.

According to Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Arianne Slay, Kelly had an intimate relationship with the girl. After the girl told Kelly she might be pregnant, Kelly lured her to a dirt trail in a wooded area east of the school, about half an hour after school let out. That’s where investigators say he pulled out a knife and started stabbing her. Slay said Kelly made statements referring to the pregnancy during the attack.

Kelly left the scene after the attack, but he was quickly apprehended at his Ypsilanti home without incident and taken to the Washtenaw County Jail.

While under question Wednesday, Kelly was asked whether he had possession of a knife the day of the attack with intent to find the victim.

Kelly admitted that he had, and also admitted that he stabbed her.

Wednesday’s hearing was then called into recess after Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor Dianna Collins asked Judge Archie Brown to restrict visits between Kelly and his mother until his sentencing date.

Collins told Brown she was aware of statements Kelly’s mother was making to him during jail visits about “breaking him out or there being an explosion at the jail.” She said represented a “possible danger” to sheriff’s deputies and other employees.

“That concerns me,” she said.

Brown declared a recess while he reviewed footage of the visits, along with Collins and Kelly’s attorney, David Goldstein. When the proceedings resumed, Brown said he would make a recommendation next week that there be no contact between Kelly and his mother. He did not comment further.

Kelly’s sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 19.

Heidi Fenton covers police and courts for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heidifenton@annarbor.com or 734-623-4673. You also can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.