Miami County woman faces 10 charges related to child molestation, neglect

MIAMI COUNTY, Ind. — A Miami County woman faces 10 charges related to child molestation and neglect.

According to an affidavit for probable cause filed in September, the charges stem from a string of incidents involving a juvenile victim and the suspect, Shayna E. Pierce. During their investigation of the case, police determined the number of incidents Pierce was involved in with the juvenile victim was likely between five and 15.

Police determined that the victim was as young as 12 years old during some of the incidents investigators uncovered. Court records accuse Pierce of inappropriately touching the juvenile during some of those incidents.

According to court documents, there were also at least two occasions in which Pierce and another unnamed individual performed sex acts in front of the juvenile. Pierce and the other individual — whose name was redacted from court records — also allegedly had the juvenile victim take a participatory role in some of the sex acts they were committing.

Public records indicate a warrant was issued for Pierce’s arrest on Sept. 26. That warrant was served on Oct. 2.

Police also executed multiple search warrants during their investigation of Pierce. Those searches yielded a sex toy that was allegedly used during at least one of the criminal incidents Pierce was involved in.

An initial hearing was held in Pierce’s case on Oct. 3, and a pretrial conference is set for Oct. 30. A jury trial in Pierce’s case is slated to begin on Nov. 17.

The following charges Pierce faces will be litigated during the trial:

• Three counts of child molesting (all Level 1 Felonies)
• One count of child seduction (a Level 2 Felony)
• One count of child molesting or fondling a child under the age of 14 (a Level 4 Felony)
• Two counts of child exploitation (both Level 5 Felonies)
• Two counts of performing sexual conduct in the presence of a minor (both Level 6 Felonies)
• One count of neglect of a dependent (a Level 6 Felony)