Molestation suspect in jail after allegedly getting teen pregnant

ICN file photo

Stewart/ Vigo Co. Jail

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News
 
A Terre Haute man is accused of repeatedly molesting a child for more than a decade.

James T. Stewart, 53, was booked into the Vigo County Jail on three counts of felony child molesting Wednesday around 10 a.m.

Stewart is the former  off -and -on again boyfriend of the girl’s mother and was reportedly entrusted to assist in caring for the teen since she was a young child.

According to the probable cause affidavit, prepared by Det. Sanford Scott, of the Terre Haute Police Department, the victim reported the inappropriate touching began in 2008, when she was just 3-years-old,  and continued until she was impregnated by the suspect early this year.

Now 13, the victim reported Stewart drove her to an Indianapolis abortion clinic, with her mother also present, for the victim to undergo the procedure to terminate the pregnancy.

Early on, Stewart allegedly would put his hands down her pants , touching her vaginal area. By the time she was 6-years-old, the suspect removed her pants and allegedly performed oral sex on the victim when her mother had gone to work. In the latest incident, the suspect reportedly was asked to stay with the victim while she was having medical issues. It was at this time the suspect allegedly entered her bedroom and forced the girl to have intercourse.

According to court documents, the suspect paid for half of the abortion cost a few weeks after the alleged forced sex incident, when he trasported them to the clinic in Indianapolis. He did not make further contact with the child or her mother after the abortion.

Stewart is scheduled to appear in Div. 3 Circuit Court Oct. 3. He remains held on $50,000 bond, no 10 percent allowed.

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