West TH man accused of molesting, raping his minor daughter

ICN file photo

Barnhart/ Vigo Co. Jail

​By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

WEST TERRE HAUTE -- Donald “Shannon” Barnhart, 54,  was arrested last week after West Terre Haute Police Department investigators say he molested and raped own his daughter.

The West Terre Haute man was booked into the Vigo County Jail Saturday, where he remains held on multiple charges, including: Two counts of child molesting – child under 14, rape and incest – person under age 16.

According to the probable cause affidavit, prepared by Sgt. Ian Redman, the alleged incidents occurred between August 2013 and November 2017 while she lived at his house. In fact, the investigation began after the girl told her mother -- after moving in with her -- Barnhart had molested her from the time she was 8 until she was 13-years-old. She also alleged to have been molested by another suspect, in a separate case – which the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office is investigating at this time.

The girl has suffered from emotional issues stemming from the alleged incidents and reportedly felt better disclosing details of her sexual abuse by writing it out for her mother, counselors and investigators.

The letter depicts a violent rape early one morning:

She had awakened to go to the bathroom when the suspect allegedly grabbed her and forced her to his bedroom,  throwing the girl on his bed. He allegedly punched her and placed a hand over her mouth to silence her screams. She wrote that he raped her. [Edited] The torture allegedly continued for nearly 20 minutes.
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According to court documents, she had also told her boyfriend about the sexual abuse and showed him a large bruise she suffered from being punched in the stomach by her father during the rape when she was 12, he reported to police.

Meanwhile, Barnhart appeared in Vigo Superior Court 3 yesterday, before Judge Sarah Mullican,  with counsel, Edward McGlone.  He pleads not guilty.

 A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for  July 29 at 10 a.m. Bond remains set at $75,000, no 10 percent allowed.

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