Friend's 'grandpa' allegedly molested girl during sleepover

ICN file photo

Yocum/Vigo Co. Jail

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man was arrested yesterday after police allege he molested a 12-year-old girl during a recent sleepover.

​John I. Yocum, 74, was booked into the Vigo County Jail just after 4:30 p.m. He is charged with child molesting- fondling a child under 14 following a Vigo County Sheriff's Office investigation. 

According to the probable cause affidavit, prepared by Sgt. Clayton White, the victim went to spend the night with her friend who lives in a trailer next door to her family on Oct. 28. The incident allegedly occurred while the girls then visited the friend's grandmother's home on Terre Haute''s south side.

The victim, a seventh grader, reportedly called her parents --- crying and wanting to come home --- after the friend's "grandpa" allegedly "touched her crotch on the outside of her pants and then pulled her pants open and looked in." It is noted that Yocom is the grandmother's boyfriend.not the actual grandfather.

She reportedly told her parents and officers later that there were several other prior alleged incidents of the suspect inappropriately touching her "bottom" and "weird hugs" leading up to the afternoon molestation during the visit, according to the court documents.

During questioning with the suspect, Yocum allegedly admitted to touching the girl's behind and also admitted to the hug. He said he did not remember touching her crotch or looking in her pants. However, he allegedly admitted to detectives, "Those kids would not lie, and if they said he done something, then he probably did."

Yocum is scheduled to appear in Superior Court Div. 5 Dec. 13. Meanwhile, he is being held on $60,000 bond, no 10 percent allowed.

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