IMPD: Boy, 14, worried he'd be ‘kidnapped or killed' in park bathroom rape
Butler-Tarkington neighbors and parents told IndyStar that they enjoy its proximity to their homes and how it's less crowded than other parks.
Tasha Johnson brings her two young boys to the park to run and play. She visits to sit and meditate because it's peaceful. But that peace was jolted when she learned police were investigating a boy's rape in the park bathroom weeks earlier.
"There's so many words to describe how terrible and horrible this is, and how angry I am," Johnson said. "I'm always just sitting around here too by myself."
The block-square park at 45 W. 40th St. is bounded by North Illinois, North Meridian, West 39th and West 40th streets. Businesses, condos, small homes, and two churches surround the more than10-acre park.
While some enjoy the park itself, which features a splash pad and Tea's Me Cafe, others feel that the area around the park, although seeing improvements by the city, is riddled with shady characters who linger not too far away.
At 4 p.m. on June 24, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police were called about a sexual assault investigation at Riley Children's Hospital. While investigating, police learned the assault happened about 8:15 a.m. at Tarkington Park. A 14-year-old boy told police that he was coerced into performing acts on a man while walking to his summer job.
The boy told police he complied because he "didn't want to be kidnapped or killed," according to court documents.
That man was later arrested and charged with rape, and it was revealed that he had HIV, with a previous unrelated charge of not telling a partner his status.
"It's terrible that that happened," mother of three, Jasmine McKenzie, said. "That's why I always tell them (her children) to use the bathroom before we leave the house. I wouldn't want that to happen to nobody's kid."
Ronald Hargro has been coming to the park since it was upgraded years ago. He grew up in and around the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood. He said a lot has changed with new upgrades to the community, but problems remain.
On the afternoon of Aug. 7 the men's restroom was locked. It's unknown if it was locked by park staff or if someone was inside. The women's restroom remained open and a woman in a white tank top and jean shorts was washing her face with the door open. She had a large bag with clothes sticking out beside her.
Hargro said she's among the "shady characters" who frequently loiter at the park where he often comes to shoot basketball with his teenage son.
"It's a risk coming out here sometimes," Hargro said. "It seems like now (the city of Indianapolis is) trying to make it better."
'Too close to home': Neighbors react to rape of 11-year-old girl at Indianapolis park
Recent security upgrades, including the installation of new high-resolution security cameras, helped the investigation into the boy's rape, IndyParks and police said.
"This arrest was made possible thanks to the victim's bravery, the assistance of public safety cameras, and the quick work of a North District officer who quickly identified the suspect within their patrol area," a statement from Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said.
In a combined statement the departments said they're reviewing and addressing safety measures, not just at Tarkington Park, but at other parks across the city.
Earlier this summer, Indy Parks hired its first Park Safety Administrator. Since his arrival in June, there have been park-by-park assessments alongside their Park Ranger Unit and Indianapolis police.
Even with the cameras and security upgrades, parents told IndyStar they're keeping a closer eye on their children and surroundings.
"Just knowing that something like that could still happen, it's sad," Hargro said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
2 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana mom sues school district after it banned her for recording a meeting
A mom and a national public policy organization are taking her northeast Indiana school district to court to challenge a school policy they say violates her First and 14th Amendment rights. The Goldwater Institute, a conservative-leaning Arizona-based think tank, filed a complaint Aug. 12 in the Northern District of Indiana that, if successful, could overturn the school district's meeting recording policy and clarify a gray area of First Amendment law. Whitley County Consolidated Schools' policy says a building administrator must first give permission before parents and others can record private school meetings such as parent-teacher conferences. Goldwater argues that the policy is unconstitutional, saying there is "no compelling, substantial, important, or even rational reason" to prohibit parents from recording. "We think there's a clear idea that the First Amendment protects more than just verbal speech. It protects conduct, and especially conduct that's inherently expressive," Goldwater attorney Adam Shelton said. "We think that presents a very good and important First Amendment question." In a previous statement to IndyStar, district Superintendent Laura McDermott said Nicole Graves was restricted from campus for "a pattern of aggressive interactions with school staff and public commentary involving children other than her own," not for expressing concerns. IndyStar has reached out to McDermott regarding the newly filed litigation. Last year, Graves recorded a meeting with her school principal about an incident on her daughter's school bus concerning the driver's behavior. She decided to record the meeting so she could accurately recount what was said, according to Goldwater. Discontent with the principal's answers, she posted part of the recording on social media. The district then notified Graves in a letter, which IndyStar obtained, that she broke policy and was given a school grounds ban and restrictions on staff communications. The punishment has since expired. As she brings her fight to court, Graves said she is surprised it has come to this but not that the school won't back down. She said she is continuing to fight to establish better policies for parents and protect children. "This is not fun for me. This is not something I ever thought I would have to fight for," she said. "But I am more than happy to stand up and fight and talk to who I need to talk to to get things to change because I think it's important for all the families in this school district." With her four children still attending school in the district, Graves is concerned about retaliation. She said she is keeping a close eye on her children's schooling and is "terrified" the school will ban her again. The right to record public officials engaged their official duties in a public place has been solidified through previous case law. Goldwater, through its complaint, is attempting to deepen those rights by arguing that some private conversations are protected as well. In its complaint, Goldwater argues that people have the right to record meetings with government officials as long as the recording doesn't violate the rights of other private individuals and the person is lawfully present. "When it's just a conversation between a parent and a school official about their child and doesn't implicate any privacy rights of other students, we think a parent has the right to record that meeting," Shelton said. If the school restricted Graves from talking about the meeting or drafting a transcript, Shelton previously said, it would undoubtedly violate the First Amendment. He questions why a recording would be any different. The complaint also says the policy violates Graves' 14th Amendment rights to control her child's education in several instances, overlapping with their First Amendment argument. Goldwater is seeking an injunction halting the recording policy and a judgment finding the school district violated Graves' First and 14th Amendment rights. This is Goldwater's second crack in two years at clarifying First Amendment case law on recording conversations with school officials. The institute petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 to take up the case of a Massachusetts dad denied the ability to video-record his son's special education accommodation conferences. The high court did not take up the appeal after a district court ruled the act of recording was not protected by the First Amendment. Shelton said the institute is hopeful the courts will take a full look at their arguments in Graves' case. "We think we have a very good argument here that the recording of this meeting is protected both by the First Amendment and the 14th Amendment," he said. "We look forward to expressing those ideas in court." The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.
Indianapolis Star
21 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Hindu temple's sign vandalized with 'message of hate,' Greenwood police investigating
This article will update. An outdoor sign for a Hindu temple in Greenwood was vandalized overnight Aug. 10, a spokesperson for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir confirmed to IndyStar. Marmik Brahmbhatt, a volunteer with BAPS, described the graffiti as "a message of hate and intolerance against Hindus." The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department. The temple, known as a mandir, is one of only a handful of Hindu places of worship in Indiana. Between 200 and 250 people attend every Sunday. Brahmbhatt characterized the offense as a hate crime. A representative for Greenwood police was unavailable for immediate comment, and a report filed with the department indicated that there's an active investigation into "criminal mischief" at the mandir's South Madison Street address. At 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 12, temple leaders will have a peace prayer service. Greenwood mayor Mark Myers is expected to be in attendance, as are other public officials, Brahmbhatt said. "We will continue to pray for peace and harmony amongst people of all backgrounds and beliefs," a statement from the mandir said. On Aug. 11, the Center for Interfaith Cooperation in Indianapolis released a statement condemning the vandalism. "In this time of increasing ignorance, hate, violence and division, CIC calls on all our partners and friends to choose curiosity, respect, empathy and compassion and to stand against violence in all its forms," the statement read in part. The Greenwood vandalism marks the third time a Hindu place of worship has been vandalized so far in the US in 2025, according to the Coalition of Hindus of North America. It comes just days away from Krishna Janmashtami, a major Hindu festival, set to begin on Aug. 16.
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
IMPD: Boy, 14, worried he'd be ‘kidnapped or killed' in park bathroom rape
The blues and greens of turf provide a bright backdrop for the playground equipment at Tarkington Park, a place parents say is an oasis among the hustle and bustle of daily life in a north-side Indianapolis neighborhood. Butler-Tarkington neighbors and parents told IndyStar that they enjoy its proximity to their homes and how it's less crowded than other parks. Tasha Johnson brings her two young boys to the park to run and play. She visits to sit and meditate because it's peaceful. But that peace was jolted when she learned police were investigating a boy's rape in the park bathroom weeks earlier. "There's so many words to describe how terrible and horrible this is, and how angry I am," Johnson said. "I'm always just sitting around here too by myself." The block-square park at 45 W. 40th St. is bounded by North Illinois, North Meridian, West 39th and West 40th streets. Businesses, condos, small homes, and two churches surround the more than10-acre park. While some enjoy the park itself, which features a splash pad and Tea's Me Cafe, others feel that the area around the park, although seeing improvements by the city, is riddled with shady characters who linger not too far away. At 4 p.m. on June 24, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police were called about a sexual assault investigation at Riley Children's Hospital. While investigating, police learned the assault happened about 8:15 a.m. at Tarkington Park. A 14-year-old boy told police that he was coerced into performing acts on a man while walking to his summer job. The boy told police he complied because he "didn't want to be kidnapped or killed," according to court documents. That man was later arrested and charged with rape, and it was revealed that he had HIV, with a previous unrelated charge of not telling a partner his status. "It's terrible that that happened," mother of three, Jasmine McKenzie, said. "That's why I always tell them (her children) to use the bathroom before we leave the house. I wouldn't want that to happen to nobody's kid." Ronald Hargro has been coming to the park since it was upgraded years ago. He grew up in and around the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood. He said a lot has changed with new upgrades to the community, but problems remain. On the afternoon of Aug. 7 the men's restroom was locked. It's unknown if it was locked by park staff or if someone was inside. The women's restroom remained open and a woman in a white tank top and jean shorts was washing her face with the door open. She had a large bag with clothes sticking out beside her. Hargro said she's among the "shady characters" who frequently loiter at the park where he often comes to shoot basketball with his teenage son. "It's a risk coming out here sometimes," Hargro said. "It seems like now (the city of Indianapolis is) trying to make it better." 'Too close to home': Neighbors react to rape of 11-year-old girl at Indianapolis park Recent security upgrades, including the installation of new high-resolution security cameras, helped the investigation into the boy's rape, IndyParks and police said. "This arrest was made possible thanks to the victim's bravery, the assistance of public safety cameras, and the quick work of a North District officer who quickly identified the suspect within their patrol area," a statement from Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said. In a combined statement the departments said they're reviewing and addressing safety measures, not just at Tarkington Park, but at other parks across the city. Earlier this summer, Indy Parks hired its first Park Safety Administrator. Since his arrival in June, there have been park-by-park assessments alongside their Park Ranger Unit and Indianapolis police. Even with the cameras and security upgrades, parents told IndyStar they're keeping a closer eye on their children and surroundings. "Just knowing that something like that could still happen, it's sad," Hargro said.
