UPDATE: This from 21alivenews.com: WABASH COUNTY, IN- Court documents filed in the child molestation case involving a 35-year-old assistant fire chief in Wabash County show the victim was abused for several months.
21Alive News reported on Monday that Pleasant Township Fire Department Assistant Chief Joel McColley, 35, is facing three counts of child molesting.
McColley is also a member of the Wabash County Emergency Management Agency, and both departments stated that McColley would be removed pending the outcome of the case in the Wabash Circuit Court.
Court documents obtained by 21Alive News on Today say police were called about the suspected abuse on June 13. The caller requested that there be no radio traffic about the call, as McColley listens to all traffic because of his position on the fire department.
Police say they arrived at the home and spoke with the caller, who said the victim had recently disclosed that McColley had been touching her inappropriately since December 2024.
The child said the last time the abuse happened was two weeks prior.
Investigators spoke with a woman who allegedly told police that McColley’s father sent her husband a “story” about the sexual abuse of a child via the app Signal back in April, court documents say.
The woman described the story to police, which appeared to mirror the abuse McColley’s victim was facing.
McColley is facing three felony charges of child molesting. A jury trial is currently set for November 18 and 19.
ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE
This from 21alivenews.com: WABASH COUNTY, IN - A member of the Wabash County Emergency Management Agency and a local fire department has been suspended after being charged with child molesting.
Pleasant Township Fire Department Assistant Chief Joel McColley is facing three counts of child molesting in a case stemming from last July.
Wabash County EMA and PTFD say McColley will be removed pending the results of court proceedings.
“We have now learned the formal charges against him,” Wabash County EMA posted on Facebook. “These charges against him are serious and disgraceful.”
PTFD says it expects “high moral character from all members especially those in leadership positions.”
“PTFD has not and will not attempt to cover up any wrongdoing and all agencies and authorities involved will have our full support and cooperation should they need it,” the department posted on Facebook. “PTFD is committed to serving our community to the highest level possible and we will not let this incident take away from that mission.”
