Local correctional officer accused of molesting step-daughter

Smithee/ Vigo County Jail

​By Lucy Perry 
News Writer
Indiana Central News

A local correctional officer was arrested on a warrant Tuesday afternoon for allegedly molesting his step-daughter, following an Indiana State Police investigation.

Kenneth M. Smitthee, 51, of Terre Haute, was booked into the Vigo County Jail just before 1 p.m. He is charged with child molesting - where defendant is at least 21 years of age, Class 1 felony (2 counts) and
child molesting -fondling or touching with child under 14, Class 4 felony.

Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse confirmed Smithee is a correctional officer at the Vigo County Jail. The suspect has been suspended without pay, pending the outcome of his criminal case, Plasse said.

According to the probable cause affidavit, filed by Detective Don Curtis Jr., of the ISP, the girl’s mother reported the alleged ongoing molestation of the now 13-year-old victim to police in late September.

The alleged sexual abuse began when the child was 9, just after her mother married the suspect.

The incidents became more frequent during at-home learning during the COVID pandemic, “to the point something would happen daily,” according to the court documents. The girl alleges the abuse began with light, inappropriate touching and progressed to the suspect being naked, oral sex and the suspect allegedly “putting his penis in her vagina.”

The suspect's wife immediately confronted him about the allegeations, of which he denied at the time.

Smithee had an initial appearance in Vigo County Superior Court- Div. 5 before Judge Matthew Sheehan Tuesday afternoon.