IPS pays $600K to settle counselor sex abuse lawsuits
Indianapolis Public Schools paid almost $600,000 to settle three lawsuits in a case involving a former school counselor who was accused of having sex with students.
Child Abuse
Articles
Lawyer discipline hearing in Park Tudor case could be closed
The attorney facing professional ethics charges over his handling of sexual misconduct accusations against a now-imprisoned former Park Tudor basketball coach will be permitted to provide some evidence under seal, and at least portions of his attorney discipline hearing may be closed to the public.
Justices: ‘Reliable assurance’ of accident defense upholds conviction in baby’s death
A man’s convictions of neglect of his infant daughter resulting in death was affirmed Wednesday by the Indiana Supreme Court when justices ruled it was not improper under Indiana Evidence Rule 404(b) to admit other-bad-acts evidence to show lack of accident, so long as a there was reliable assurance that an accident defense would be raised.
Senate OKs bill banning release of details in child deaths
The Indiana Senate has unanimously approved a bill that would ban the release of details in child neglect or abuse deaths to safeguard criminal cases.
Lawsuits by 3 men allege sex abuse by former Indiana priest
Three men are suing the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, alleging that a priest molested them as children and that the diocese covered up the abuse.
Indiana pediatrician accused of sexually abusing 3 boys
A Boone County pediatrician is facing charges alleging he sexually abused three boys.
Suit: Kids in CHINS cases need attorneys
A nonprofit that gave Indiana an F grade in how the state provides for minors in child in need of services and termination of parental rights hearings asserts in a new lawsuit that children a have right to counsel so their voices be heard in court.
Bill sought by child sex abuse survivors rerouted for study
Individuals who were sexually abused as children will have to keep waiting for justice, now that a bill that could potentially give them more time to sue their abusers has been routed for further study.
Former Carmel swim coach sentenced for sexual exploitation
A former Carmel swim coach has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in federal prison for sexually exploiting one of the girls he coached.
Web Exclusive: Sex abuse survivor trains lawyers, others to avoid revictimizing
After overcoming addiction, abuse and sexual harm, Sarah Hurley sought to aid women dealing with the same struggles she faced as a child. She created the White Stone Project, an organization devoted to providing survivor-led, professional training and coaching to people and organizations engaging trauma survivors. Its goal: to equip people to more effectively communicate, understand and avoid revictimizing those they work with.
Ice Miller attorney faces discipline in Park Tudor sex abuse case
A prominent Indianapolis employment attorney is facing a disciplinary complaint for his involvement in the botched investigation of a former Park Tudor basketball coach who later was convicted of coercing a student into exchanging sexually explicit images and texts. Ice Miller LLP partner Michael Blickman, 65, is accused of possessing and copying child pornography, failing to immediately report child abuse and other ethical rule violations.
Indiana reports fewer child abuse, neglect deaths in FY 2016
The Indiana Department of Child Services reported child neglect and abuse fatalities fell by nearly a quarter to 59 during its 2016 fiscal year.
Indy archdiocese to follow Gary, list of priests accused of abuse
The Indianapolis Catholic archbishop plans to publicly release the names of all the priests in his diocese who’ve faced substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse. The archdiocese of Gary on Tuesday released a list of 10 ex-priests deemed guilty of sexually abusing children.
Default custody judgment against Florida mom reversed
A Florida mother can continue with an Indiana custody dispute with the father of her teenage daughter after the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a default judgment against her. Chief Judge Nancy Vaidik used the opinion to caution trial courts against issuing default judgments in custody cases where a parent shows good cause for a continuance.
DCS report confirms parent drug use surging child welfare cases
A review of Indiana’s troubled child welfare agency confirms what advocates have long said: Parental drug abuse has led to a surge in children removed from their homes.
Father sues DCS over son’s death in Morgan County
A father is accusing the Indiana Department of Child Services of being complicit in the death of his 5-year-old son, who died in the care of his mother and her boyfriend. A lawsuit in Morgan Superior Court contends the agency received at least 11 reports of suspected abuse before the 2016 death of Brayson Price.
Mooresville man convicted of neglect, conspiracy in 5-year-old boy’s death
A Mooresville man has been convicted of neglect and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of his girlfriend's 5-year-old son who had special needs. A jury in Morgan County returned the verdict early Wednesday in the case against Steven Ingalls Jr.
Evansville man sentenced to 15 years in death of infant son
An Evansville man has been sentenced to 15 years after authorities say he dropped his infant son, who died a few days later.
No charges in Indiana day care attack that hurt 1-year-old
A prosecutor won’t file charges in an attack at an Indianapolis day care that left a 1-year-old boy’s lips and face scratched and swollen.
Justices rule anti-SLAPP law no defense to malpractice claim
A medical malpractice suit filed against a doctor who reported his suspicions of child abuse to the Department of Child Services will proceed after the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state’s anti-SLAPP laws do not apply to this case.