Etna Green Man Arrested In Molestation Case
Staff Report
WARSAW — An Etna Green man was arrested after molesting a child while allegedly under the influence of drugs.
Michael D.N. Bollenbacher, 33, 130 E. Broadway St., Etna Green, is charged with child molesting, a level 4 felony; and neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony.
On Aug. 19, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer received a report of a molestation that occurred in July.
According to court documents, Child Protective Services interviewed a child who said that sometime between late July and early August, Bollenbacher got into bed with the child. The child said they were sleeping in Bollenbacher’s bed; however, the child said Bollenbacher usually sleeps on the couch and not in his own bed.
The child said they were asleep when they woke up and noticed Bollenbacher’s hand on their stomach area. Bollenbacher kissed the child’s neck and attempted to take their pants off. Bollenbacher then inappropriately touched the child.
The morning after the incident, Bollenbacher apologized to the child and said he thought they were someone else and that he was “messed up.” The child said they understood Bollenbacher saying he was “messed up” as being under the influence of drugs. The child also said they had seen methamphetamine in the residence before and had knowledge of Bollenbacher’s methamphetamine use.
On Aug. 27, the officer spoke with Bollenbacher. In the interview, Bollenbacher admitted to getting into bed with the child and said he may have kissed the child’s neck and may have touched the child’s stomach. Bollenbacher said he was under the influence of drugs and believed he was in bed with his wife.
During the interview, Bollenbacher also admitted to relapsing on methamphetamine. A drug screen following the interview returned a positive result for methamphetamine, amphetamine and THC.
Bollenbacher was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Dec. 3, with a $20,250 surety and cash bond.