On October 22nd, 2024, The Kokomo Police Department along with the Howard County Indiana Department of Child Services were notified of a possible Child Molest occurring in the 900 block of North Washington Street, Kokomo, Indiana. On October 29th, 2024, a warrant for one count of child molest was issued for (53) year old Steven Joseph Nelson of Kokomo. The warrant was issued from Howard Superior Court IV. Steven Joseph Nelson is currently in custody at the Howard County Jail.

  On December 2nd, 2024, Amber Dawn Heaton was taken into custody at the Tipton County Indiana court house for a warrant issued from Howard Superior Court IV for one count of Child Exploitation (level 4 felony), (2) counts of Child neglect (level 6 felonies) and one count of Obstruction of Justice (level 5 felony). These charges are result of a joint investigation between the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, Kokomo Police Department and the Howard County Indiana Department of Child Services. She was transported to the Howard County Jail. On December 3rd, Amber was released at her initial hearing to pre-trial services.

This case remains under investigation.  If anyone has additional information pertaining to this case you can contact Captain Bruce Rood at 765-456-7332 (brood@cityofkokomo.org.) or the Kokomo Police Department Hotline at 765-456-7017.  You can also leave an anonymous tip by using the tip411 app, or you can contact the Kokomo Police Department at 765-457-1105.   You may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip. 

Remember, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  

Alert sent on 12/03/2024 at 2:12PM EST

To submit a tip via text message text TIPKPD and your tip to 847411

Alert delivered to the following groups: Kokomo Police Department, Crime Watch Group, Media Contact, Pastors Group, and Westbrook Subdivision Neighborhood Watch

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