Staff Report
COLUMBIA CITY — A Columbia City teenager was recently arrested on child molesting charges.
Devon Neal Law, 19, Columbia City, is charged with child molesting, a level 3 felony; and child molesting, a level 4 felony.
On April 16, a Columbia City detective was contacted by the Department of Child Services regarding a sexual abuse case. A child reported being molested by Law a few years ago.
During a forensic interview, the child said they were inappropriately touched by Law multiple times about four to five years ago. Law allegedly made the child inappropriately touch him and also showed pornography to the child.
According to court documents, the child also said they believed Law had acted inappropriately with a second child. The child told the interviewer Law beat them up a lot and that they were scared of Law.
On April 19, the second child was interviewed and described Law as “a big jerk.” The child’s demeanor changed when they were asked about body safety, but did not say anything about being inappropriately touched.
In an interview with police, Law initially denied inappropriately touching the children. As the interview progressed, Law said it was possible something sexual occurred between him and the first child. He also initially said the child initiated the contact but eventually admitted to leading the sexual conduct. Law also admitted to watching pornography with the child and inappropriately touching the second child.
Law said some of the molestations between him and one of the children occurred when he was 18. When asked how many times he had sexual contact with that child since he turned 18, Law estimated it was about 10 to 13 times.
A follow-up interview was conducted with the second child on May 1. During the interview, the child admitted that Law inappropriately touched them.
Law was booked in the Whitley County Jail on May 16.
