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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA judge has ordered certain records sealed in the case of an Indiana man accused of abducting and killing a 1-year-old girl.
Court records show Owen Circuit Judge Lori Thatcher Quillen granted the order sealing the records from last week’s unscheduled hearing after Kyle Parker’s public defender and prosecutors agreed they should not be made public.
Security issues regarding the detention of the 22-year-old Spencer man were discussed during the hearing, The (Bloomington) Herald-Times reported.
Parker is charged with murder, rape and kidnapping the death of Shaylyn Ammerman, whose body was found last month after she was reported missing from her father’s home in rural south-central Indiana.
Authorities say Parker drank whiskey with the girl’s uncle and then waited until the family fell asleep before abducting the toddler. Her body was found in a remote, wooded area after two days of searching.
Quillen said Thursday she cannot discuss the case with the media and directed all questions to county prosecutors.
A message left Friday for Owen County Prosecutor Don VanDerMoere seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Parker is being held without bond at the county jail. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf at his initial court hearing.
Quillen granted a request Thursday from Parker's public defender for his client to undergo a psychological evaluation and authorized police to transfer him to the Indiana Department of Correction for assessment and classification.
A Muncie-based psychologist who examines defendants to determine their competence was contacted to assess Parker, but DOC spokesman Doug Garrison said those plans apparently changed and Parker was not transferred for the evaluation.
Owen County Sheriff Sam said Parker has been under close watch by jail staff amid concerns he might harm himself.
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