On Oct. 22, 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.

On Oct. 29, 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. Nelson is currently in custody at the Howard County Jail.

On Dec. 2, 2024, Amber Dawn Heaton was taken into custody at the Tipton County, Indiana, courthouse on a warrant issued from Howard Superior Court IV for: one count of Child Exploitation, a level 4 felony; two counts of Child Neglect, both level 6 felonies; and one count of Obstruction of Justice, a level 5 felony.

These charges are the result of a joint investigation between the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, Kokomo Police Department, and the Howard County, Indiana, Department of Child Services. Heaton was transported to the Howard County Jail. On Dec. 3, she was released at her initial hearing to pre-trial services.

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

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