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Lawrence County Independent News
Orleans Man Faces Child Molesting Charges Following State Police Investigation
An Orleans, Indiana man has been charged with child molesting and dissemination of matter harmful to a minor following an investigation by the Indiana State Police. Dakota M. Stidham, 23, faces a Level 1 felony count of child molesting and a Level 6 felony count of disseminating harmful matter to a minor in Lawrence Superior Court. A Level 1 felony in Indiana carries a sentencing range of 20 to 40 years. According to a probable cause affidavit signed August 27, 2025 by Indiana State Police Tro
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Police Log 06/18/2026
Police Log: June 16 – 17, 2026 📍 Bedford Police & Lawrence County Sheriff's Departments The following report covers local public safety activity from the past 24 hours. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Notable Arrests * 🚔 Kathy J. Wilkerson (70), Mitchell: State Road 37 NB N & Patrick Robbins Way – Arrested by Bedford Police at 9:06 AM on June 17 on an active warrant and new charges of Possession of Marijuana/Hashish and Possession/Use of a Leg
Orleans Man Faces Child Molesting Charges Following State Police Investigation
An Orleans, Indiana man has been charged with child molesting and dissemination of matter harmful to a minor following an investigation by the Indiana State Police. Dakota M. Stidham, 23, faces a Level 1 felony count of child molesting and a Level 6 felony count of disseminating harmful matter to a minor in Lawrence Superior Court. A Level 1 felony in Indiana carries a sentencing range of 20 to 40 years. According to a probable cause affidavit signed August 27, 2025 by Indiana State Police TroThree-Hour Walmart Surveillance Ends in Theft and Felony Drug Arrest for Bedford Woman
A Bedford woman with a history of theft convictions is back behind bars after Walmart asset protection associates tracked her through the store for three hours, ultimately uncovering a cache of stolen merchandise and various controlled substances. Talia N. Blake, 44, of Bedford, was taken into custody Tuesday morning by the Bedford Police Department on multiple preliminary felony and misdemeanor charges. The Three-Hour Surveillance According to the official probable cause affidavit filed byBedford Woman Arrested After 911 Hang-Up Reveals Broken Glass, Blood, and Dual Assault Claims
A domestic dispute involving an ex-girlfriend and a current partner escalated into physical violence Tuesday night, leaving a local residence damaged and a Bedford woman facing battery and criminal mischief charges. Julia Miller, 34, of Bedford, was taken into custody by the Bedford Police Department following a 911 emergency response that uncovered a chaotic scene on J Street. The Broken Glass and Blood-Stained Walkway According to the official probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford PoliMitchell Couple Facing Multiple Felony Neglect Charges After Search Warrant Uncovers Severe Living Conditions
Reported: June 17, 2026 A Mitchell husband and wife are facing multiple criminal counts—including three level 6 felonies for neglect—following a Mitchell Police Department investigation that began with a juvenile drug complaint and ended with the discovery of extreme living conditions inside a local residence. Mary Andrews, 46, and Michael Andrews, 53, both of Mitchell, have been charged following a search warrant executed at their Dale Street home by local authorities. The Initial InvestigaDebt Dispute Escalates to Daylight Armed Robbery inside Vehicle in Bedford Retail Parking Lot
A Bedford parking lot turned into the scene of a high-stakes felony confrontation Tuesday evening when a local man allegedly forced his way into a parked vehicle, drew a weapon, and threatened to violently assault a driver over an unpaid debt. Matthew Kelley, 47, of Bedford, is now facing a high-level Level 3 Felony robbery charge following a swift police response that tracked him from the scene of the crime directly into the grocery aisles of the neighboring Walmart. The Ambush at the DollarOut-of-County Driver on Probation Facing OWI Charges After Wrong-Way Incident on State Road 37
An out-of-town man is facing drunk driving charges in Lawrence County after local deputies intercepted a white pickup truck traveling the wrong way on State Road 37 during the early morning hours. Kohlten A. French, 23, of Cromwell, Indiana, was arrested by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department following multiple frantic calls from motorists reporting a truck driving head-on into southbound traffic. The Wrong-Way Report and Traffic Stop According to the official probable cause affidavit fTunnelton Woman Facing Multiple Charges After Erratic Driving, Reversing Near Patrol Car on State Road 37
Reported: June 16, 2026 A Tunnelton woman is facing a string of criminal allegations—including operating while intoxicated and resisting law enforcement—following a high-risk traffic stop that unfolded on State Road 37. Michele Spotts, 57, was taken into custody by the Bedford Police Department following an erratic driving complaint that quickly escalated across multiple city intersections. The Near-Miss and Reverse at the Light According to the official probable cause affidavit filed by BePolice Log 06/16/2026
Police Log: June 15 – 16, 2026 📍 Bedford Police & Lawrence County Sheriff's Departments The following report covers local public safety activity from the past 24 hours. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Notable Arrests * 🚔 Jennifer Ray Harrell (41), Bedford: 12th St & L St – Arrested by Bedford Police at 2:45 PM on June 15 on an active Petition to Revoke (PTR) warrant. Bedford Police Department Activity Overnight & Morning Log (June 14 – 15)
Police Log 06/15/2026
Police Log: June 13 – 14, 2026 📍 Bedford Police & Lawrence County Sheriff's Departments The following report covers local public safety activity from the past 24 hours. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Notable Arrests * 🚔 Michael Ottis Flick (75), Bedford: State Road 37 SB N & 16th St – Arrested by Bedford Police at 9:54 PM on June 13 for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI), OWI with Endangerment, and Driving While Suspended (Infraction
Police Log 06/14/2026
Police Log: June 13 – 14, 2026 📍 Bedford Police & Lawrence County Sheriff's Departments The following report covers local public safety activity from the past 24 hours. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Notable Arrests * 🚔 Michele Spotts (57), Bedford: John Williams Blvd & State Road 37 NB N – Arrested by Bedford Police at 10:53 PM on June 12 for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI), OWI with Endangerment, Resisting Law Enforcement, and D