Terre Haute man charged with molestation of 9-year-old girl

McKinney/ Vigo Co. Jail

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

​A Terre Haute man was arrested on a warrant yesterday following a Terre Haute Police Department molestation investigation.

Samuel L. McKinney, 52, was booked into the Vigo County Jail just after 8 p.m. He is charged with Level 4 Felony child molesting - touching/fondling a child under age 14 and Level 5 Felony criminal confinement of the victim.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed be Det. Troy Pesavento, of the Terre Haute Police Department, the alleged incident occurred in April last year with the suspect, whom is the great-uncle  of the 9-year-old  female victim.

The mother of the girl reported she heard her daughter crying and saying "no" when she noticed the man leaving the upstairs bedroom. The mother reported to police that she found her daughter upset in the room and the child reportedly told her mother McKinney attempted to kiss her.

According to the documents, the suspect's mother admitted that McKinney told her he tried to kiss the child, adding that it was done as " a joke."

The victim was noted to have changed behavior following the incident, including acting distant and not wanting to stay overnight at the suspect's residence where she had previously gone to spend time with cousins. 

​McKinney is scheduled to appear in Div. 3 Circuit Court Feb. 5.   He remains held on $50,000 - no 10 percent allowed.