Rockport: A Rockport pair was arrested today after an investigation into a child battery and neglect of four children.
On June 30, the Indiana Department of Child Protective Services contacted the Indiana State Police, asking for assistance with an investigation into the battery of a child. CPS had relocated the children to foster care after a local investigation by the Rockport Police Department and had further concerns into the wellbeing of the children. Allegations presented to Trooper Brock Werne by CPS indicated that 37-year-old Johnny L. Hutchison of Rockport had struck his girlfriend’s three-year-old daughter multiple times, leaving marks and bruising on her legs and back.
Through Trooper Werne’s investigation, it was learned that the child’s mother, Christina D. Crabtree, 33, Rockport, was aware that Hutchison had spanked the three-year-old. Further investigation uncovered that Hutchison had also physically abused Crabtree’s other three children on multiple occasions.
Today, an arrest warrant was served on both Hutchison and Crabtree. Both were charged with four counts of Neglect of a Dependent, while Hutchison faces an additional charge of Battery on a Person Less than 14 years of age. They were lodged without incident in the Spencer County Jail.
Arrested and Charges:
Johnny L. Hutchison, 37
716 North Street, Rockport, IN
- Battery on a Person Less than 14 Years of Age, Level 6 Felony
- Neglect of a Dependent (four counts), Level 6 Felony
Christina D. Crabtree
716 North Street, Rockport, IN
- Neglect of a Dependent (four counts), Level 6 Felony
* Attached photographs are of Hutchison and Crabtree
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HENSLEY
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
