Terre Haute man accused of molesting 6-year-old girl

Freeman/ Vigo Co. Jail

By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News
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A Terre Haute man was arrested on a warrant yesterday following a Vigo County Sheriff’s Office child molestation investigation.

James Freeman, 24, was booked into the Vigo County Jail around 11 a.m. He is charged with attempted child molesting, a level 1 felony, and child molesting, a level 4 felony.

The alleged incident , involving a 6-year-old girl, occurred June 15. The victim reportedly told her mother that, while watching a movie in a back bedroom of the family’s trailer, the suspect allegedly attempted anal sex with her, while lying on the floor together.

According to the probable cause affidavit, filed by VCSO Det. Joshua Cary, she had disclosed to her mother the following day after swimming that, “while laying down with James, he tried to put his private area into [her] butt.”

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a local hospital emergency room and were provided an Indiana Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit, which was submitted as evidence. The child was later transported to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis for further examination.
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Later, when following up with Department of Child Services and interviews with Susie’s Place staff, the child alleged that Freeman pulled his pants down to his knees and then pulled her pants down to her knees when she was pretending to sleep. She described the alleged incident as “weird’ and “gross,” according to the documents.

When confronted by the victim’s mother about the incident on June 17, Freeman allegedly responded that, “ Everyone already thinks he is a child molester , so he wanted to prove them right,” according to the affidavit.

Freeman appeared in Vigo Superior Court Div., 1 for his initial hearing before Judge John Roach this morning. He remains held on $75,000 bond, no 10 percent allowed.

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