Jeff Haney

A 48-year-old Warsaw man will have to defend himself in court against an accusation that he molested a 12-year-old girl more than 2 years ago.

Jeff Allen Haney was arrested Saturday, nearly 17 months after the now 15-year-old girl’s father said he caught the two holding hands and “realized something inappropriate was going on.”

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed in Kosciusko County Circuit Court, in 2011, Haney began texting, calling and emailing inappropriate messages to the girl, who was just 12 years old. The girl’s father said he told Haney to stop communicating with his daughter, but found out the two were still in contact.

In an interview with Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Detective JD Ayres, the girl admitted that she met Haney in the summer of 2011 and began a relationship. The girl said she would sneak out of her house to meet Haney. She alleged the two would kiss and that on one occasion in June 2012, Haney kissed and fondled her breasts on top of her clothing.

Haney was also interviewed by Det. Ayres and said he and the girl began a relationship that “grew deeper.” He admitted to meeting with the girl secretly approximately eight times. He said the girl attempted to hold his hand in the presence of her parents but he pushed her hand away “because it wasn’t the right time.”

Haney is charged with C felony child molesting. He was booked on a $5,000 surety bond.

If convicted, Haney could face 2 years to 8 years in prison.