New Whiteland police arrest 16-year-old accused of raping 79-year-old woman

NEW WHITELAND, Ind. — Ariahn Smith, a 16-year-old in Johnson County, is facing rape, strangulation and other charges following an assault Tuesday morning in New Whiteland.  

According to court documents, a 79-year-old woman was raped while unloading groceries.

“This case is going to be filed in adult court,” said Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner. “There’s no waiver hearing. It’s going straight to adult court.”

New Whiteland police said the assault occurred at about 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the 79-year-old victim’s New Whiteland home. Court documents reveal that the woman was carrying in groceries when the teenager allegedly ran up and grabbed her.

To defend herself, the victim told police she asked Smith to pray with her. But immediately after their prayer was over, the victim accused Smith of grabbing her by the throat and forcing her into a backroom where he allegedly raped her.

According to court documents, New Whiteland police were already in the area investigating the theft of a vape from a nearby gas station when dispatch advised officers of the reported sexual assault.

Police ended up confirming the two cases were connected, as Smith matched descriptions of the suspect who stole a vape from the Sonoco gas station on U.S. 31.

If convicted of rape as a Level 3 felony, Smith could face up to 16 years in prison.

“I do think that a lot of young people think they can commit any crime they want and get lenient treatment in a juvenile court. That doesn’t happen when they start to do grown-up crimes like this,” said Hamner.

The woman has been released from the hospital and is now recovering at home.

Meanwhile, Smith is being held in jail on a $250,000 cash bond.