TERRE HAUTE —
The community sighed a breath of relief Thursday after locating a missing girl, but the investigation is just beginning as two men remain in custody facing allegations of child molesting.
Authorities found the girl “safe and alive” at a residence on Terre Haute’s northside around 12:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Brandon L. Bennett, 18, remained in the Vigo County Jail that night, arrested at 2:30 p.m. on two allegations of child molesting, a class-B felony.
Later that evening, Timmy J. Sanders, 24, of Indianapolis, was arrested at a residence in the 1000 block of First Avenue and likewise faces an allegation of child molesting, a class-B felony. Both men are scheduled to appear in Vigo County Superior Court Division One this morning.
According to a statement issued by the sheriff’s department Thursday evening, Sanders is Bennett’s uncle.
“Sheriff’s officials have probable cause to believe that both Bennett, 18, and Sanders, 24, sexually molested the 12-year-old” at the address on Fenwood Avenue, the release states.
The release also states that investigators believe the girl voluntarily accompanied Bennett to the address Sunday, but the investigation is ongoing to determine whether she was held against her will once there.
The Tribune-Star is not using the girl’s name because of a newspaper policy in which it does not identify the victim of an alleged crime.
“This is definitely a priority for us to determine what happened,” said Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt earlier in the day. “We’ve got a number of resources looking into this now. We plan on dealing with it appropriately as soon as the investigation is complete.”
According to Vigo County Sheriff Greg Ewing, the girl was located after a homeowner called police to report her presence. The homeowner was Bennett’s father.
The girl, a middle school student, reportedly gave the homeowner a false name and age while staying there with Bennett, Cottom said. After the homeowner heard about the missing person’s case on Wabash Valley media, he reportedly found a picture and description of the 12-year-old online. He printed a picture, went home and showed his wife and they contacted police.
Investigators “want to find out exactly what happened and why she left home,” Ewing told media while outside the home where the girl was found.
The 12-year-old spent much of Thursday with Child Protective Services and later went to an Indianapolis hospital for medical testing. “As soon as we get her medically cleared, I’ll release her to her parents,” said Det. Sgt. Frank Shahadey of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department.
When Shahadey learned the girl had been found, he went to the parents’ home to tell them. “They were ecstatic,” he said. By early evening, she was with her dad as they went to the hospital.
Shahadey did not believe the girl would face any juvenile proceedings. He did anticipate additional interviews with her to find out what happened while she was missing.
The father, interviewed while he and his daughter were en route to the hospital, said he felt a “sense of relief” to be re-united with her. “She’s alive … she’s here,” he said.
He praised the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, Shahadey and Ewing for their thorough investigation as well as other law enforcement that assisted. “I was just awestruck,” he said.
The girl’s father also thanked Ed Ping and Merv Javins for their assistance.
The sheriff’s department issued a countywide alert late Tuesday about the missing girl, who was last seen about 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at her family’s home. The alert using the Code Red system contacted all landline telephones in Vigo County with information concerning the 12-year-old.
On Wednesday, a multi-agency team was involved in both a ground and air search in the north-central Vigo County residential neighborhood where the girl’s family lives.
Those involved included the sheriff’s department, FBI, Indiana State Police, Terre Haute Police Department and Vigo County Emergency Management search team. Indiana State University police also provided some assistance.
The Sheriff’s Department said the decision was made to issue an Indiana Missing Teen report late Tuesday at the urging of the child’s parents. The girl initially was reported as a runaway, but after she did not turn up with friends or at school, her status was changed.
By reclassifying the case, “We were able to bring in other agencies,” Cottom said.
Law enforcement followed several leads, he said. “We had good information given to us, and we also had bad information given to us,” he said. Authorities subpoenaed cell phone records and Facebook records.
“There’s been hours and hours of team effort,” Cottom said.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Good hands: A 12-year-old girl, center, talks with sheriff's deputies after she had been found in a house in the 2900 block of Fenwood Avenue in Terre Haute.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Safe: Vigo County Sheriff's deputy Frank Shahadey talks with a 12-year-old girls as he leads her away from the house where she had been found. The home owner alerted the Sheriff's Department.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis In custody: Brandon Bennett, center, is escorted from his home in the 2900 block of Fenwood Avenue in Terre Haute. Bennett has been charged with two counts of child molesting.
-
Clark Cottom
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis In custody: 18-year-old Brandon Bennett walks handcuffed to the Vigo County jail Thursday afternoon. With him are Chief Deputy Clark Cottom, in back, and 1st Sgt. Charley Funk.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Questions: Vigo County Chief deputy Clark Cottom, second from left, asks questions of Timmy J. Sanders Jr. (center) at the scene where a missing 12-year-old girl was found. Sanders was later arrested and charged with one count of child molestation, a class "B" felony.
Discussion
‘Safe & Alive’: Missing 12-year-old girl located in a Terre Haute home
4 days of searching over, police make 2 arrests in disappearance
- News
-
-
Co-Op to Feed group delivering to needy
Three Terre Haute organizations are teaming up to deliver food boxes to “the neediest of needy” with specific health concerns on a monthly basis.
-
Field trips to take big hit next year
The Vigo County School Corp. plans to inform school staff of “deep cuts” in student field trips for the next school year, Superintendent Dan Tanoos said Friday.
-
Donation drive in Valley aims to send help to Oklahoma tornado victims
Terre Haute Ministries, along with WTWO, WAWV, Q102.7 and 100.7 Mix-FM are joining forces to help those impacted by tornadoes in Moore, Okla.
-
Invention makes houses safer from tornadoes
A Terre Haute man has developed a building construction system that increases the strength of a home, especially from a tornado.
-
ISU to stage public hearing on proposed tuition increase
Indiana State University will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. June 4 to receive input on a proposed 1.95 percent increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
-
Trial date set for man accused of attacking Vigo County deputy
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy has an Aug. 12 trial date.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Health information to be provided for blood donors
People who give blood at Clinton Gardens’ blood drive Tuesday will leave knowing valuable information about their health. Donors will find out their cholesterol level, blood pressure, blood type and iron levels at no cost.
-
‘This is the best day of my life’
-
Sullivan man airlifted to Indy after crash
A Sullivan man was in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital Friday after his pickup truck collided with a tanker truck in Sullivan County.
-
Veterans Memorial Park dedication set for Monday
Memorial Day ceremonies will include a special event this year.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
- More News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Today in History May 24
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Britain Braces for Possible Copycat Attacks
Today in History May 25
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
