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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA northwest Indiana man faces attempted murder and other charges for allegedly luring a 9-year-old girl into his house and beating and sexually assaulting her before officers found her locked in his basement.
James Brian Chadwell II, 42, of Lafayette was charged Monday with attempted murder, child molesting, attempted child molesting, kidnapping, criminal confinement, battery resulting in serious bodily injury and strangulation.
The 9-year-old girl’s parents reported her missing on the evening of April 19 after she had not been seen for about 30 minutes.
Officers knocked on Chadwell’s door, and that prompted Chadwell to stop his alleged sexual assault on the girl to quickly dress and answer the door, according to a probable cause affidavit.
After Chadwell allowed officers to search his house, they found the girl locked in the basement. Police and prosecutors said she had been beaten, strangled, attacked by Chadwell’s dog and sexually assaulted.
Prosecutors said the girl told officers that Chadwell tried to kill her.
He appeared in a Tippecanoe County court Monday for an initial hearing on the charges. A judge appointed a public defender for Chadwell and set his bond at $500,000 surety and $50,000 cash.
A message seeking comment on the charges Chadwell faces was left Wednesday with the Tippecanoe County public defender’s office.
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