Ripley Co. Judge Orders Teen Be Tried As Adult In Child Molestation Case

Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 7:27 AM

By Travis Thayer

(Versailles, Ind.) – A Ripley County judge has ordered that a teenager be tried as an adult in a child molestation case.

On April 6, testimony was heard regarding allegations that Robert Dale Harden III molested two children that were in a home daycare where he had been living.

The Ripley County Prosecutor's Office says they petitioned to have the Harden waived to adult court several months ago.

Harden, now 19, was at least 16 years old at the time of the allegations, a statutory requirement for waiver.

After hearing testimony from two witnesses and argument from the Harden's attorney, a Ripley County judge decided the waiver was appropriate, and granted the State’s Motion.

This isn’t Harden's first run-in with the law. His past juvenile history includes Battery, Trespassing and multiple failed drug screens for marijuana and methamphetamine.

Harden has been transported to the Ripley County Jail. An initial hearing and trial dates have yet to be set.

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