Child Molester Sentenced

Wednesday, the Honorable Lori Schein, Judge of Boone County Circuit Court, sentenced John Eric Peterson (DOB: 04/04/1970) to 123 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections for heinous crimes committed between 2020 and 2022. At the sentencing hearing, Peterson was classified as a Sexually Violent Predator and determined to be a credit restricted felon.

On February 19, 2025, John Eric Peterson pled guilty to all nine criminal counts against him:

4 Counts of Child Molesting (Level 1 felony)

2 Counts of Child Molesting (Level 4 felony)

1 Count of Child Exploitation (Level 4 felony)

1 Count of Possession of Child Pornography (Level 5 felony)

1 Count of Neglect of a Dependent (Level 6 felony)

Prosecutor Eastwood commented on the sentence: "Our office extends its profound gratitude for the extraordinary strength and courage exhibited by the victim in

this matter. Her bravery empowered our team to relentlessly pursue justice and ensure the defendant was held accountable, guaranteeing that he will never be in a position to harm anyone again. We are extremely thankful that his sentence ensures that he will spend the rest of his days on this earth in prison.” “While there are too many individuals to acknowledge and thank individually, I would like to specifically recognize the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department, the Boone County CASE Task Force, and Sylvia’s

Child Advocacy Center for their unwavering dedication to this victim and this case. Their commitment was instrumental in achieving this outcome."

If you suspect a child is in danger, it's absolutely critical to act immediately. In Indiana, you can report suspected child abuse or neglect by calling the Indiana Department of Child Services' Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.

Your call can be made anonymously, and it might be the crucial first step in saving a child's life. Don't hesitate—take action now. Imagine the relief and safety you can provide to a child in need. Your vigilance and compassion can make an immeasurable difference. Every child deserves to feel safe and protected, and your courage to speak up can help ensure that. Make the call today and be a hero in a child's life