KOSCIUSKO — Three more witnesses took the stand this morning, Feb. 7, as the child molestation jury trial for Terry Shaw continued.

Terry Shaw

The first witness of the day was Syracuse Police Officer Joseph Keene. Keene testified that he was the only officer to work this particular case. He recalled being on duty on July 16, 2016, at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. He received a call regarding a possible child molestation and spoke with the victim and her mother and father. After speaking with the family, he contacted the Indiana Department of Child Services who set up a further interview with the family. 

Keene admitted to the court that he did not collect the victim’s clothing or blanket, stating that now he wished he had. Keene explained that the only evidence that could have been collected would have been touch DNA, which could not prove that inappropriate touching took place.

Defense Attorney John Barrett had Keene admit to the court that he was not wearing his body camera at the time of the confession. Keene also did not seek out help from another officer who would have been trained to deal with sex crimes involving children.

Keene testified that he attended the follow-up interview which included Nicole Nabinger of DCS on July 18, 2016. On that day he also set up a future interview with Shaw. Shaw did not show up to that interview and no further contact was able to be made. No further investigation took place after July 18, two days after the initial confession occured.

The state then called Nicole Nabinger, family case manager of DCS, as a witness. Nabinger testified that she performed a routine forensic interview with the victim and another interview with the victim’s parents. Nabinger admitted that her primary role is to protect the safety of the child involved.

The final witness for the case was the victim’s mother. Several breaks had to be taken as the victim’s mother was unable to stop crying. The mother told the court that before the incident, Shaw was “great with the kids.” Shaw regularly spent time with her children during his stay. She explained that on the night of the alleged incident, she and her husband had gone to bed and had no knowledge of anything taking place. On July 16, Shaw had left the residence after arguing with Nanna, his girlfriend. The victim’s mother gave Shaw a ride to a local gas station and they parted ways peacefully.

It wasn’t until later that night when she got a call from Nanna that she learned about the incident. She received a phone call but could not understand what Nanna was trying to say, so she and her husband met Nanna and the victim to talk in person. The victim’s mother and father talked to their daughter alone so she could tell them what happened.

“She was literally falling apart, balling, she was shaking.” recalled the mother when explained how her daughter was acting. “Immediately after the police officer left, [the victim] became extremely paranoid … she disengaged from normal activities at the park … she was pretty withdrawn.”

The mother also told the court that she received a phone call from Shaw the day she went to file a restraining order against him. According to the mother, Shaw threatened to kill her if she didn’t keep her mouth shut.

Barrett confirmed with the mother that Shaw remained at the residence for two days after the incident allegedly occurred and continued to interact with all the children.

After the mother’s testimony, Deputy Prosecutor Brad Voelz rested the case on behalf of the state. Barrett called no witnesses to testify and rested the case on behalf of the defense.

Closing arguments are to take place later this afternoon followed by jury deliberation.

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