By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

SULLIVAN COUNTY -  An Indiana State Police death investigation is underway after a body was found inside a burning trailer in Sullivan County tonight.

The name of the deceased has not been released, pending positive identification. 

Emergency crews responded to the trailer fire on the east side of Dugger, off of SR 54 just after 7 p.m.

ISP Sgt. Matt Ames said the trailer was  fully engulfed in flames. 

 "Once the fire was extinguished, a body was discovered in the trailer," he said, adding that there are  no signs of foul play at this stage of the investigation.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday morning. 
Assisting Agencies: Sullivan County Coroner's Office, Indiana State Fire Marshal and Union Volunteer Fire Department. 

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Cenral News


VERMILLION COUNTY - One man and one woman were arrested yesterday following a Vermillion County child abuse investigation.

• Marcus A. Vaughn, 31, from St. Bernice, was arrested for possession of a handgun without a license, domestic battery on a child, possession of methamphetamine and intimidation with a gun (level 5 felony.)
• Cassi Vaughn,31, also of St. Bernice, was arrested after the search warrant was executed for neglect of a dependent. She was later released after posting $1,000 bond.

The Department of Child Services ultimately removed the 7 -year- old child from the Vaughn residence and placed him with family members, as a result of the investigation.

A  search warrant was executed on Vaughn’s residence shortly after he was taken into custody.

"During the search, deputies located suspected methamphetamine, methamphetamine manufacturing supplies, homemade firearm suppressors, digital scales, and numerous other items associated with methamphetamine use. The house was also found to be in deplorable condition and deemed uninhabitable,"Vermillion County Sheriff Mike Phelps said.

The investigation began when Vermillion County Dispatch received a 911 call of a physical altercation between an adult and child in St. Bernice around 2:30 p.m. Vaughn was reported to have had a handgun and had allegedly threatened another adult and the child.

South Vermillion Schools were placed on a brief lockdown due to the vicinity of the incident, as Deputy Chad Hennis responded to the residence and found the suspect had fled the on foot, armed with the handgun,  Phelps explained.

The scene was immediately secured and the victims were taken to  a local hospital. The child was treated for facial injuries.

A K-9 began tracking the suspect, just as other arriving officers were informed to begin setting a perimeter east of the location, according to the report. The suspect was observed running nearby, just a short time later.

Deputies found methamphetamine and weapons on Vaughn, as he was taken into custody.

"While patting Vaughn down deputies located methamphetamine and two razor knives. While being questioned about the firearm, Vaughn denied ever having one. Deputies located a loaded 357 Magnum, hidden in the leaves next to where Vaughn was taken into custody,"  Phelps said.

Vaughn  remains held at the Vermillion Co Jail, currently without a bond until his initial hearing in front of the Judge.

The investigation is ongoing.

Deputies John Hawkins, Nick Hall, Joey Wilson, Brian Fagg,  Caleb Woodard and ​Clinton City Police assisted.