A late-night abduction call in Monroe County ended with a 4-year-old safely back with family and two adults in handcuffs, after deputies tracked a suspect vehicle and made a traffic stop in Bloomington shortly after midnight, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies arrested 25-year-old Lena Volpe and 35-year-old Alexandra Porter after investigators said the pair forced their way into a home Sunday night and left with the child in a vehicle. Both were booked into the Monroe County Jail. Authorities have not publicly shared any suspected motive.
Deputies Detail Late-Night Response And Charges
According to a Monroe County Sheriff's Office press release reported by WIBC 93.1 FM, deputies were dispatched to a residence at about 11:47 p.m. after a caller reported an abduction.
The caller told dispatch that someone forced entry into the home, attacked them, and fled with the 4-year-old in a vehicle, the release states. Deputies quickly set up an emergency GPS ping on a suspect's phone to track the vehicle. Police pulled the vehicle over at about 12:17 a.m. in Bloomington, where both suspects were taken into custody and the child was found and reunited with other family members.
Volpe and Porter were preliminarily charged with burglary of a dwelling, a Level 4 felony, kidnapping with a victim less than 14, a Level 5 felony, and two counts of battery, according to the sheriff's release as summarized by WIBC 93.1 FM. The sheriff's office says both were transported to the Monroe County Jail.
Charges And Possible Prison Time
Under Indiana law, a Level 4 felony typically carries a fixed prison term of two to 12 years, while a Level 5 felony generally carries one to six years. Misdemeanor battery offenses carry shorter potential jail terms and fines. Those ranges are advisory only, and judges weigh aggravating and mitigating factors before imposing a sentence. Sentencing guidelines are listed in the Indiana Code.
What Happens Next
Volpe and Porter remain in custody at the Monroe County Jail while prosecutors review the case and consider formal charges. If the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office files formal counts, the defendants will be set for initial hearings in Monroe County courts.
The sheriff's office has not released any additional information about a possible motive or whether either suspect had a prior relationship with the child.
