MADISON MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS ON CHILD MOLESTING CHARGE

Will be subject to the Indiana special probation conditions for sex offenders

Jefferson County, Indiana (June 11, 2024) - A Jefferson County man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to a Level 1 felony charge of child molesting, said Prosecutor David Sutter.

 Waylon J. Schlichtkrull, 37, was sentenced to 30 years with seven years suspended to supervised probation and credit for time served since his arrest in January. Schlichtkrull will be subject to the Indiana special probation conditions for sex offenders and must register as a sex offender.

 “This was a very disturbing case in which an adult abused a minor child and made threats against the victim and victim’s family if the child told anyone what was happening,” said Sutter. “This child endured years of abuse from a man with whom the victim was acquainted. While this sentence cannot erase what the child suffered, I do hope this lengthy sentence will bring a measure of justice to the family.”

 Sutter said this case demonstrates the seriousness with which law enforcement and related agencies respond to reports of child sexual abuse.

 “When Indiana State Police Detective Joseph May received a report regarding the alleged abuse, he immediately began work on the case,” said Sutter. “Within hours he had obtained a search warrant and had located Mr. Schlichtkrull. I would also like to thank the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana for conducting a forensic interview of the victim very quickly. Staff came in on a holiday to ensure the necessary evidence was obtained in order to file charges.”

 According to the investigation, Schlichtkrull abused the victim over a period of more than four years. The child described how the abuse began with inappropriate touching and escalated to forced sexual activity. The victim said Schlichtkrull made threats of physical harm against the victim and family if they told anyone.

 “This is a classic example of a child being victimized by someone they had known for years and who had regular contact with them,” said Sutter. “In the vast majority of cases, children are abused by someone close to them. I promise that my office will always take reports of child sexual abuse seriously and will do everything we can to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.”