Kokomo man again charged with child molestation

A Kokomo man previously charged with child molestation and out on bail has been arrested and charged again with child molestation in a separate case.

Steven Nelson, 53, is facing a level 1 felony charge of child molestation, after police say he molested a female through inappropriate touching, and level 5 felony charge of possession of child pornography. If found guilty of the level 1 charge, Nelson faces between 20 and 40 years in prison.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the molestation took place recently at an apartment in the 900 block of North Washington Street.

The alleged victim told police and a case worker that Nelson had molested her while she was lying on a bed and that her mother was also in the apartment. She told police that her mother had not tried to stop the molestation from happening and that Nelson had molested her in the past, according to the affidavit.

These allegations came up during a follow-up interview on a complaint made last year in regard to Nelson texting the mother that he would like to touch her daughter, according to the affidavit. A nude picture of the alleged victim was sent from the mother's phone to Nelson's phone, according to the affidavit.

No formal charges were filed at that time as no molestation was reported by the alleged victim, but she told police and the case worker last month that she is now wanting to talk about the alleged abuse.

During the execution of a search warrant, Nelson's phone, laptop and bedsheet were collected by officers with the Kokomo Police Department.

An officer with KPD has requested the mother be charged with neglect of a dependent and aiding, inducing or causing child molest, but, as of Monday, no formal charges have been filed against her.

Nelson was charged with two felony counts of child molesting in December of last year after police say he touched his then-girlfriend's juvenile daughter over her clothing while the two were in his vehicle together. The juvenile told police Nelson would touch her for the entire drive to wherever the two were going, according to an affidavit.

In that case, Nelson posted a $20,000 cash only bond. After his second arrest, Nelson's bond was revoked in the first offense and he is being held without bond at the Howard County Jail.

Bond for the second offense was set at $80,000 cash only and no 10%. An initial hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14.