Claypool Man Arrested In South Whitley Child Molestation Case
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
SOUTH WHITLEY — A Claypool man was recently arrested in Whitley County after admittedly touching a child inappropriately.
Riley W. Shankster, 20, 2256 E. CR 900S, Claypool, is charged with child molesting, a level 4 felony.
On April 3, a Whitley County Sheriff’s officer was notified of a possible child molestation that occurred in South Whitley. A man spoke with an officer about Shankster inappropriately touching a child. According to court documents, the man provided officers with the victim’s name, as well as the victim’s parents’ names.
On April 21, the officer interviewed Shankster about the circumstances. During the interview, Shankster admitted to inappropriately touching a child in South Whitley. He said he had been thinking about it for a week or so and that he didn’t really have a plan but wanted to use the child “to feel a sexual feeling.”
Shankster said he was at an undisclosed location where several adults were in an office while five to six children were playing outside. He then called to one of the children and had the child follow him somewhere they couldn’t be seen. Shankster then put the child on his lap and moved in a manner to stimulate himself sexually. He said the child then ran away and that he left. Shankster said he never touched the child anywhere other than their arms and both of their clothes stayed on.
Shankster also said he was questioned at work the next day after the incident but denied most of the allegations.
He was booked in the Whitley County Jail on May 18, with a $40,000 surety and cash bond.