Officers arrested a 19-year-old Salem man for felony rape and child molestation charges following an investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Travis Baker.    

Based on information gathered during his investigation, Detective Baker requested an arrest warrant through the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office for 19-year-old Darrin Mitchell of Salem, Indiana, for the charges of rape and child molestation. 

Each charge is a level 3 felony.  

On March 12, 2024, the Washington County Circuit Court issued the warrant.  

Officers with the Salem Police Department arrested Darrin Mitchell later that evening without incident.  

He was then transported to the Washington County Jail. 

A Washington County school resource officer contacted Detective Travis Baker in December of 2023 and advised he received information about a possible child molestation involving a student at his school.  Detective Baker immediately began an investigation, which included a forensic examination by a sexual assault specialist at a Southern Indiana Hospital.  Baker worked alongside caseworkers with the Indiana Department of Child Services, who later coordinated a forensic interview of the child.  Detective Baker also conducted further in-person and phone interviews with subjects related to the investigation.