Indiana Supreme Court to hear arguments on Secretary of State office
(Indianapolis) — An Indiana Supreme Court hearing today could end with a decision on Indiana’s next secretary of state. The state’s highest court will hear arguments over former Secretary of State Charlie White’s eligibility to be a candidate in the 2010 race. The court’s ruling will mean the final chapter in a 14-month long legal battle regarding who will replace White who was found guilty of six felonies earlier this month. Current state law indicates there is more than one way to determine who should have the office. The Indiana Democratic Party wants the position to go to Vop Osili, whom White defeated in the 2010 elections claiming White was improperly registered to vote after he listed his ex-wife’s address on voting documents. State law at the time allowed Osili to take over if White were ineligible. The Recount Commission initially dismissed the Democrats’ complaint, saying the law doesn’t require candidates to be legally registered to vote. After White’s conviction, Governor Mitch Daniels appointed White’s former chief deputy, Jerry Bonnet, as White’s temporary successor.
Father of drowned toddler speaks out
(Trafalgar) — The father of the three-year-old Johnson County boy who was allegedly killed earlier this week by his mother says it was a mistake for the mother to have custody of their son. Robert Crim says Amanda Smith, 33, is mentally ill and should never have had unsupervised visits with the toddler. Smith reportedly confessed to authorities that she drowned the toddler in a bathtub Monday night. She then called 9-1-1 to report his death; when police arrived at her residence, she attempted to attack them with an ax. Police say they had received more than 30 calls from Smith with most of those calls described as “crazy.” The Indiana Department of Child Services says it had a file on Smith and a case worker was assigned, but they ended their involvement with Smith a year ago.
School workers accused of abuse of a student
(Putnam County) — Three staff members at North Putnam High School have been arrested and are facing felony charges of child seduction, accused of having multiple sexual encounters with the same 16-year-old student. State police began investigating last January after reports of sexual contact involved Nicholas A. Vester, 24, of Lafayette; Craig E. Rogers, 24, of Indianapolis; and Brandon D. Largent, 20, of Crawfordsville. Police said the incidents occurred between October 2011 and January 2012 and took place on and off school premises.“The Greencastle Banner-Graphic” is reporting that Vester was a substitute Spanish teacher, Rogers was the band director and Largent was a swimming coach. The trio are being held without bond and are expected in court today.
Principal accused of battery
(Bloomington) — Accusations of a physical altercation between Binford Elementary School principal Joe Childers and a 10-year-old student are being investigated. An email sent by Monroe County Community School Corporation Judy DeMuth acknowledges an unfortunate situation did occur last Thursday involving a student and Childers and that the matter is being thoroughly investigated. Childers has been placed on paid administrative leave and no arrests have been made. He has been with the district for eight years.
