By Lisa Trigg
TERRE HAUTE — A homeless man faces an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor after the child’s mother told police the man inappropriately touched her teenage daughter.
James K. Hines, 53, appeared in Vigo Superior Court Division 6 on Tuesday, where Judge Michael Lewis found probable cause for Hines’ arrest.
Detective Rick Decker of the Terre Haute Police Department stated in court that the victim’s mother called police just past midnight Tuesday and stated she saw Hines rubbing parts of her daughter’s body as the teen lay in bed. The mother told police the child was in the top bunk of a bed, Hines was in the bottom bunk and the mother was sleeping in the same room when the incident occurred at a residence in the 1300 block of Fourth Avenue.
Decker said he also took a statement from Hines about the incident, and he said he did touch the victim inappropriately, knowing that she was only 14 years old.
A criminal history check of Hines, Decker reported, showed numerous arrests in Indiana, Florida and Rhode Island for theft, battery, possession of marijuana and driving while intoxicated.
Judge Lewis set Hines’ bail at $75,000, with no 10 percent allowed, and ordered him returned to the Vigo County Jail.
His next court date is Friday morning, when charges may be formalized.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
