Beech Grove man charged with child molestation

INDIANAPOLIS — A Beech Grove man faces up to 40 years in prison after being accused of child molestation.

On Oct. 9, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed a Level 1 felony count of child molestation against Austin Edwards of Beech Grove. Edwards also faces a Level 4 felony count of the same charge.

According to court records, a teenage girl came forward in early August and accused Edwards of molesting her back in 2017. The girl’s mother, along with a few other family members and a friend, all told police that the victim mentioned being touched inappropriately back in 2017, but nothing came of the allegations.

One family member told police the victim became frightened after first speaking up in 2017 and retracted her allegations.

The victim’s mother said her daughter’s behavior changed, however, and she altered her appearance dramatically and committed acts of self-harm.

According to investigators, Edwards denied ever touching the child in 2017 and continued to deny the allegations when police approached him in August.

In text messages between Edwards and the victim’s mother, he called the allegations “lies” and said he would be seeking legal counsel.

A warrant was issued for Edwards’ arrest on Oct. 9.