JENNINGS COUNTY — Detectives from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Jennings County man on Tuesday on felony charges of child molestation after a four-month investigation.
The investigation lead by Detective Ian McPherson began in April when investigators were contacted by the Indiana Department of Child Services after they received a report of possible child molesting involving Paul D. Collett, 69. McPherson conducted a thorough investigation which ultimately indicated that Collett had engaged in the molestation of a juvenile female family member over the last six years.
At the conclusion of the investigation, McPherson presented the case to Jennings County Prosecutor Brian Belding for review. Judge Murielle S. Bright of the Jennings County Circuit Court issued an arrest warrant for Collett. Investigators from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Kenny Freeman and investigators from the Seymour Police Department located Collett at a residence in Seymour. Collet was arrested by McPherson on the preliminary charge of child molesting, Level 1 felony and another preliminary charge of Child Molesting, Level 4 felony.
Collett was later incarcerated in the Jennings County Jail pending an initial hearing in the Jennings County Circuit Court.
Chief Deputy Cody Low reiterates to the community that, “The safety and well-being of the children will remain our utmost priority. A case such as this demonstrates the perseverance and dedication that the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office will continue to have for our most vulnerable members of our community, the children.”
Lead Investigator – Detective Ian McPherson – Jennings County Sheriff’s Office
Assisting – Indiana Department of Child Services (Jennings County Office)
Seymour Police Department Investigation Division
Jennings County Prosecutors Office
