Columbia City teen arrested on child molestation charges – InkFreeNews.com

Staff report

COLUMBIA CITY — A Columbia City teenager was recently arrested on child molestation charges.

Devon Neal Law, 19, of Columbia City, is charged with child molestation, a Level 3 felony; and child molestation, 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 assaulted by the law a few years ago.

During a forensic interview, the child said he was touched inappropriately by Law on several occasions approximately four to five years ago. Law allegedly forced the child to touch him inappropriately and also showed him pornography.

According to court documents, the child also said he believed Law had acted inappropriately with a second child. The child told the interviewer that Law beat them a lot and that they were afraid of Law.

On April 19, the second child was interviewed and described Law as “a big jerk.” The child's behavior changed when he was asked about the safety of his body, but he said nothing about being touched inappropriately.

When interviewed by police, Law initially denied touching the children inappropriately. As the interview progressed, Law said it was possible something sexual had happened between him and the first child. He also initially said it was the child who initiated the contact, but eventually admitted to directing the sexual behavior. Law also admitted to watching pornography with the child and inappropriately touching the second child.

Law said some of the assaults between him and one of the children occurred when he was 18 years old. When asked how many times he had sexual contact with this child since he was 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 touched them inappropriately.

Law was booked into the Whitley County Jail on May 16.