Staff Report

WARSAW — A Pierceton woman was arrested for allegedly offering a child money to lie about molestation allegations.

Megan Goddard

Megan Kathleen Goddard, 34, 7374 E. South Barbee Drive, Pierceton, is charged with obstruction of justice, a level 6 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Nov. 1, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of child molesting. The deputy received information about a child who had disclosed a situation in which the child was inappropriately touched by a man.

On Nov. 9, the child was accompanied by Goddard to provide a forensic interview at the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center in Warsaw. 

While in the waiting room, prior to the forensic interview, two Safe Harbor representatives observed Goddard coaching the child.

One of the representatives informed a law enforcement officer that Goddard told the child she would pay the child to lie and then Goddard asked the child if the child wanted to go to foster care.

A law enforcement officer reviewed video/audio footage of the Safe Harbor waiting room and observed Goddard whispering to the child. Goddard could be heard saying she would pay the child $25 and the child responding, “What will you pay me for?”

The child could then be heard saying, “But I don’t want to lie.”

Goddard could be heard asking the child if the child wants the man to go to jail. Goddard asked if the child knows that the child will be taken away from her and sent to foster care and said that she does not want to lose the child.

The forensic interview was completed with the child in which no allegations of abuse were made. 

A law enforcement officer spoke with Goddard, who allegedly admitted to offering the child $25 to lie during the Safe Harbor interview.

Goddard was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail Nov. 9 on a $5,250 surety and cash bond.