Charges filed after man accused of molesting girl in Indianapolis park

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Costs have been filed after an 11-year-old lady was allegedly gagged and molested in an Indianapolis park.

James Howard Jr., 51, has been charged within the case. He faces felony counts of kid molesting, tried little one molesting, kidnapping and prison confinement.

In accordance with courtroom paperwork acquired by Information 8, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Division officers have been known as to Forest Manor Park close to thirty fourth Road and Sherman Drive on the town’s northeast aspect simply earlier than 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The sufferer spoke with investigators after being despatched to a kids’s hospital. She stated she noticed the suspect previous to the assault, saying he was taking a look at a telephone on a bench. She offered an outline of the suspect, his clothes and his telephone to police.

She stated he approached her from behind, put a black rag in her mouth and dragged her to a wooded space the place she was raped.

The sufferer’s mom had gone to search for her daughter when she didn’t reply the telephone. She came upon when she noticed officers by the park.

Surveillance video offered by neighbors confirmed a person matching the outline offered by the sufferer.

Officers canvassing the world the next day discovered a person matching the outline offered by the sufferer, together with a black hat with the phrases “Unhealthy Boy” on it.

The person, recognized as Howard, rapidly turned his hat round when approached by officers, in keeping with courtroom paperwork. The officers then defined why they have been within the space.

“James then eliminated his hat once more and tried to cowl the letters, then in an excited utterance said, ‘I simply purchased this hat for $5 yesterday from some man on the nook,’” courtroom paperwork state.

Police stated a telephone on Howard additionally matched the outline offered by the sufferer. Police say Howard denied being at a park on the day of the assault, and when informed there was video of him close to a park, stated the person within the video was not him.

On-line jail information point out Howard has a courtroom look scheduled for Friday afternoon.

Information 8 has requested Howard’s mugshot from IMPD.