A former Southern Indiana child care provider has been charged with recklessness in a battery investigation of a two-year-old child who was at her daycare, which began in December of last year. 

Regina M. Sabens, 49, Salem, Indiana, was charged with Reckless Supervision by a Child Care Provider, a Class A Misdemeanor, after Indiana State Police (ISP) Detective Travis Baker forwarded his investigation to the Washington County Prosecutors Office. 

ISP in Sellersburg was first contacted by the Salem Police Department to assist in a possible battery case involving a two-year-old child who was in Sabens care at the Learning Center Preschool and Childcare located on East Hackberry Street in Salem. 

After conducting the investigation, all information was provided to the Washington County Prosecutor, resulting in the recklessness charge on Wednesday of this week. 

The photo attached is from a prior arrest in January 2019 for Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury. 

Yesterday, troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post arrested a 21-year-old Jennings County man on charges of Child Molesting and Child Solicitation.

The investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Andrew Mitchell began when allegations of child molesting were made against Jon W. Anthony, age 21, North Vernon, Indiana.

On February 18, 2020, Deputy John Smith conducted an investigation in Austin in reference to a complaint of invasion of privacy.  The investigation led to the arrest of two people.  Aaron Dunn, 31, of Austin was arrested for Invasion of Privacy.  Ashley Dunn, 31, of North Vernon, In. was also arrested for Invasion of Privacy. 

On February 19, 2020, Deputies Zach Brown and Kenton Makowsky conducted a traffic stop in Austin.  An investigation led to the arrest of Chasity Samson, 25, of Austin for Possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV Controlled Substance, Possession of a Legend Drug and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

On February 19, 2020, Deputies Keith Hartman and Christopher Bowling went to an address on Main Street in Austin in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival Otis Bishop, 37, of Austin was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear if the Charge was a Felony. 

Tuesday night a traffic stop for failing to signal a turn led to the arrest of a Muncie couple on felony drug charges.  Last night (2/18/2020) around 10 p.m. Trooper Jacob Ridgway was driving through Muncie when he observed a green Ford Explorer on East Highland St. at North Penn St. fail to signal a turn and with no functioning license plate light.

Ridgway got the vehicle stopped and made contact with the driver, Travis Hoover, age 49, of Muncie, and his passenger Kassandra Rankin, age 30, also of Muncie. Troopers Ratliff, Tinch and Garcia were nearby and came to assist Ridgway.  Trooper Ratliff took his K-9 partner “Tora” around the outside of the Explorer and the dog alerted to the presence of contraband.

Further investigation by the troopers turned up white powder believed to be Methamphetamine, a liquid believed to be Fentanyl, a baggie with suspected Heroin and pills identified as Suboxone in the vehicle.

Both Hoover and Rankin were arrested and charged with Level 6 Felony charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Narcotic Drug, Possession of a Legend Drug and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe.

In addition, the couple was charged with misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia.  Hoover and Rankin were lodged in the Delaware County Jail.

Indiana State Police and Indiana State Parole responded to an apartment located at 1510 Riverside Drive yesterday morning after receiving information that illegal drug activity may be occurring.

When officers arrived they found Margaret Gibson, 36, inside apartment A4. Joseph Martin, 37, who is the tenant of the apartment, arrived a short time later.

While inside the apartment officers found 12 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, drug paraphernalia, a loaded .32 caliber handgun, and ammunition.

Martin and Gibson were arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where they are currently being held without bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Joseph Martin, 37, 1510 Riverside Drive, Apartment A4, Evansville, IN

1. Dealing Meth, Level 2 Felony
2. Possession of Meth, Level 4 Felony
3. Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, Level 5 Felony
4. Parole Violation Warrant
5.  

Margaret Gibson, 36, Evansville, IN

• Dealing Meth, Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Meth, Level 4 Felony

Investigating Agencies: Indiana State Police and Indiana State Parole