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By Sgt. Carey Huls, Public Information Officer, Indiana State Police Sellersburg District
Washington County - Friday, July 19, 2024: Indiana State Police served an arrest warrant on a Hardinsburg man on Friday for child molestation and other related charges following a month-long investigation.
The investigation began on June 12, 2024, after an Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) family case manager was made aware of the allegations. The case manager then contacted ISP Detective Travis Baker who initiated a criminal investigation working alongside DCS personnel. The investigation included a forensic interview conducted at a local child advocacy center and Detective Baker obtained a search warrant for cell phones related to the investigation.
As a result of the investigation and search, Detective Baker believed illegal sexual contact occurred between the child and 31-year-old Michael Allen Richardson of Hardinsburg, Indiana. Richardson was arrested on a warrant for the current charges while incarcerated at the Washington County Jail for previous and separate charges. Charges for this investigation are listed below:
- Child Molesting (4 counts) - Level 1 Felony.
- Child Exploitation (5 counts) – Level 4 Felony.
- Incest (4 counts) – Level 4 Felony.