WARSAW — This morning, April 11, a jury trial began for a child molesting charge against a Warsaw man.

Jeff Haney

Jeff Haney, Warsaw, is being charged with child molesting, a level C felony. The jury trial against him began this morning with Judge David Cates presiding. After a delay due to technical difficulties, the jury was fully selected by noon. Four females, eight males and one alternative male will sit on the jury and deliberate on Haney’s guilty.

The case was filed in 2013, accusing Haney of molesting a 12-year-old girl in 2011.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, 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.”

The trial will continue with opening statements after the lunch recess. Kosciusko County deputy prosecutor Katy Hampton is representing the state and attorney Joseph Sobek is representing Haney.