Avilla man accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old girl

AVILLA, IN β€” Authorities have arrested a 58-year-old Avilla man on allegations he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl.

Indiana State Police arrested Squid Bauman, Jr. on charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography on Monday.

According to an arrest affidavit, police received a report of child abuse involving a 14-year-old girl on April 4. A forensic interview of the girl was arranged by the Department of Health and Human Services and the girl was interviewed on April 5.

In the child abuse report, it was alleged Bauman had bought sexual items for the girl on April 3. Police were also able to obtain video of Bauman, with the girl, purchasing the items at a local store.

During the interview, the girl disclosed that Bauman had sexually assaulted the girl on March 30. She said the assault happened for about three minutes before he stopped because a dog suddenly opened the door.

A cell phone used by the girl was provided to investigators and a search of the phone was conducted at the Indiana State Police.

During the investigation, police also questioned the man about cartoons he had allegedly sent to the girl showing the characters in sexually explicit positions. Video and photos of the girl were also obtained. The girl told police that the photos were taken for her mother, but the girl’s mother told police she had never seen the photos before.

Bauman was interviewed by police at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. Bauman told police he had purchased items for the girl, but claimed he had purchased it because he had found the girl having an interest in porn sites.
Bauman is expected to be arraigned on charges Wednesday in DeKalb County Court.