Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident on the Tippecanoe River in Winamac Saturday morning where a one-year-old child is in critical condition.
Continue readingChildren Pulled from Tippecanoe River in Winamac
DCS Reports Decrease in Calls to Child Abuse Hotline despite COVID-19 Concerns
The Indiana Department of Child Services is asking for the public’s help in keeping kids safe from abuse and neglect during the COVID-19 pandemic. DCS Director Terry Stigdon gave an update during state officials’ briefing Monday.
Continue readingLaPorte County Man Accused of Child Exploitation, Possession of Child Pornography
A LaPorte County man was arrested on suspicion of child exploitation, possession of child pornography, and voyeurism, following two weeks of investigation. LaPorte County sheriff’s deputies say they were called to a home in the 2800 block of North Abraham Court on April 1 to help the Indiana Department of Child Services with a welfare check.
Continue readingWinamac Middle School Principal Cleared of Misconduct Allegations
Winamac Middle School Principal Ryan Dickinson will be back at work Wednesday, after allegations of misconduct were found to be unsubstantiated.
Continue readingLaPorte County Police Arrest Man on Suspicion of Child Molesting
A man has been charged with multiple counts of child molesting, following an investigation in LaPorte County. Sheriff’s deputies say they were called to a home in rural Noble Township on February 7, regarding an unwanted guest. When the deputy got there, he was told that a sex offense had just occurred. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division began assisting.
Continue readingUPDATED: Winamac Middle School Principal Placed on Administrative Leave Due to Misconduct Allegations
The Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation has placed another principal on paid administrative leave due to allegations of misconduct.
Continue readingGovernor Eric Holcomb Responds to Resignation Letter from Department of Child Services Director
On Friday, Governor Eric Holcomb’s press secretary released a statement regarding the resignation of Department of Child Services Director Mary Beth Bonaventura. However, another statement was sent out on Monday, following the release of Bonaventura’s resignation letter.
In his initial statement, Governor Holcomb announced that after learning of her resignation, he started the search for the next leader of the ‘critical state agency.’ He also commented saying how grateful he was to Bonaventura for her five years of service and unwavering commitment to the safety of Hoosier children in the midst of a growing opoid epidemic that has impacted so many families.
In her resignation letter, Bonaventura charges that the administration has systematically slashed funding to the agency as well as damaged relationships with foster parents, placement agencies and treatment centers, according to a report by Network Indiana’s John Herrick. Continue reading
Bailey’s is Featuring the Indiana Heart Gallery for National Adoption Awareness Month
Nearly 400,000 children are currently in foster care nationally. More than 100,000 of those kids are legally available for adoption. November is National Adoption Awareness month and one local business is doing their part to help connect children in need to individuals who may be looking to make an addition to their family.
From now until November 10th, Bailey’s Discount Center will feature a photo exhibit from the Indiana Heart Gallery. The Indiana Heart Gallery is an organization that travels around the state with compelling portraits and stories of children in need of adoptive families. In 2007, the program was started by the Indiana Department of Child Services in order to put actual faces on a need that sometimes seems invisible. Continue reading
Francesville Woman Arrested on Drug, Neglect of a Dependent Charges
A report of a possible domestic incident Wednesday night led to a Francesville woman being arrested on drug charges. Deputies from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home in the 100 block of North Plummer Street around 10:00 p.m., after a caller said they heard screaming and yelling coming from a house.
Three Arrested for Dealing Heroin
A traffic stop in Knox on Tuesday morning resulted in the arrest of three Knox residents for allegedly dealing heroin.
Knox City Police officers performed the stop at the Marathon gas station at Lake Street and U.S. 35. Police say during the traffic stop they witnessed James R. Landrum, Jr., 29, attempt to hide items underneath the back seat as he was exiting the vehicle.
Knox Couple Arrested Following Drug Investigation
A Knox man and woman are jailed on drug charges following an investigation by the Starke County Major Crimes Unit. Officers from the Knox Police Department and Starke County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at an Allen Drive residence in Knox on Thursday. They found illegal narcotics and chemicals used to make methamphetamine, according to the incident report. Continue reading
Knox Police Department, DCS to Host Drug Awareness Program
The Knox Police Department and Indiana Department of Child Services are teaming up to raise awareness of drug abuse issues in the community.
They’re hosting a free community program at 6 p.m. tonight at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. It will address drug recognition, physical signs of drug abuse and treatment programs available within the community. Continue reading
Adoption Champions to Visit Winamac Winter Wonderland
Residents will have the chance to learn more about the adoption process during tomorrow’s Winter Wonderland festivities in Winamac. Adoption Champions will be at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Continue reading
Knox Man Faces Sexual Misconduct with a Minor Charges
Formal charges are pending against a 30-year-old Knox man accused of having sex with a juvenile. Officers from the Knox Police Department arrested Charles A. Dixon on Friday, Oct. 23 following an investigation prompted by an Oct. 19 report to the Department of Child Services. Continue reading
LaPorte Woman Arrested after Allegedly Assaulting Police Officer
A LaPorte woman was arrested on Friday after officials from the Indiana Department of Child Services attempted to remove a two-month old child from her residence.
Caseworkers told the child’s mother, Rosemary Zeigafuse, 37, that they arrived at the home on Worden Street to take the child as the result of a court order and Zeigafuse allegedly threatened to kill them. An officer from the LaPorte Police Department attempted to place her into custody and she hit the officer in the face, according to the news release. She reportedly continued to resist the officer until she was successfully taken into custody.
Marshall County Man Arrested on Child Molestation Charge
A Plymouth man was arrested in the overnight hours on Tuesday on a preliminary charge of child molestation as a Class C felony.
Timmy Sexton, 42, was taken into custody and he is being held in the Starke County Jail.
The charge stems from an investigation by the Indiana Department of Child Services on June 4 and a subsequent investigation by the Knox City Police Department. No other details are being released at this time as the incident remains under investigation.
Knox Man Arrested in an Alleged Sexual Assault
A Knox man was arrested on a warrant Wednesday, May 21 after an investigation into an alleged sexual assault incident.
On April 24, officers from the Knox City Police Department were notified of the alleged incident by officials with the Indiana Department of Child Services. It was alleged that the incident involved a female juvenile and an adult family member.
Officers located and arrested 85-year-old Donald L. Bottorff Wednesday morning. He was booked into the Starke County Jail on preliminary charges of Child Molesting and Vicarious Sexual Gratification, both Class C Felonies.
Grovertown Man Arrested in Alleged Sexual Assault
Ryan J. Reyes, 19, of Grovertown was arrested Wednesday after an investigation into a sexual assault incident in Wythogan Park on May 4.
A report was made to Knox police that a minor was reportedly sexually assaulted in the park by Reyes. Knox City Police Department detectives and the Indiana Department of Child Services interviewed witnesses and all parties involved and arrested Reyes on preliminary charges of Rape and Child Molesting, both Class B felonies.
He is being held in the Starke County Jail. The case remains under investigation.
Community Can Help Reduce Child Abuse
The month of April is an opportunity for the community to come together and help children who have been victims of abuse.
There are 49 children in Starke County that are being served by the Department of Child Services who have been in abusive or unhealthy situations.
Child Abuse Awareness Month is a time when all individuals and organizations can play a role in making the community a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, it can promote children’s social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities.
Starke County Building Corporation, Commissioners Meeting This Morning
The Starke County Building Corporation plans to appoint a committee to discuss future uses for the current jail. They are meeting this morning at 8:30 at the county annex building, prior to the commissioners meeting at 9. Skillman Corporation will also provide an update on how construction of the new jail east of Knox on State Road 8 is going. It’s scheduled for completion in the spring of 2015. The commissioners agenda includes consideration of a proposal from Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski to relocate some precincts. Officials from IU Health Starke Hospital will also discuss the physicians recruitment program. EMA Director Ted Bombagetti and James Coad are on the agenda regarding the county’s emergency preparedness plan. Wendy Elam from CADA has a proclamation for the county to declare April Child Abuse Prevention Month. CADA, CASA and the Indiana Department of Child Services are kicking off the awareness campaign tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Convention Center in downtown Knox with a Pinwheels for Prevention candle lighting ceremony. Members of the public are invited to come show their support for children in the community. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place inside.
