A 20-year-old Westphalia man is in custody after police say he molested a 13-year-old girl who had been reported missing the night before. Investigators identified the man as Caden Barrett and booked him into the Knox County Jail, where he is being held on bond on a child-molesting charge.
Indiana State Police made the arrest after troopers helped the Knox County Sheriff’s Office locate the missing girl. Detectives say an interview at the county jail produced information that led them to suspect Barrett committed the crime, according to WTHI. The station reports that Barrett was taken into custody Sunday morning and booked on a charge of child molesting. Authorities have not released more details on how the girl was found or whether there was any prior relationship between Barrett and the victim.
Charges and penalties
Barrett is charged with child molesting under Indiana law, specifically Justia lists the statute as IC 35-42-4-3, which criminalizes sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child younger than 14. That offense is typically prosecuted as a Level 3 felony in Indiana. Level 3 convictions carry a statutory prison range of three to 16 years and potential fines, although the exact sentence depends on the facts of the case and any possible enhancements. Prosecutors will review the investigation and decide whether to file additional counts or pursue different charges as the case moves ahead.
What happens next
The case will move through Knox County’s criminal courts; arraignment and future court dates were not immediately available. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office through its public website at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. An arrest is an allegation, and Barrett is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
