Man arrested, suspect of molesting 5-year-old girl

Bloomington police arrested a man for the alleged sexual abuse of a 5-year-old girl Thursday after a nearly-three-month investigation.

Kris James Kiritsis, 36, is currently booked at the Monroe County Jail facing preliminary felony charges of child molestation. Bond is set at $100,000 surety and $1,000 cash.

Kiritsis was arrested at about 2 p.m. Thursday at his residence and transported to the Monroe County Jail.

In early January, Indiana Department of Child Services forwarded Bloomington Police Department a report of its investigation regarding a reported sexual abuse of a 5-year-old girl, Sgt. Joseph Crider said.

The child was interviewed Jan. 1 at Susie’s Place, Crider said, and during the interview, the victim disclosed she had been inappropriately touched by a man she knew.

The victim also disclosed information regarding a pornographic video displayed to her, and statements she made led police to believe the suspect may have told her not to tell anyone about the incident.

Prior to his arrest, police interviewed Kiritsis multiple times, and he denied allegations of the abuse, Crider said.

A search warrant for Kiritsis’ eastside residence was obtained and served Jan. 11, producing a computer containing pornographic materials, Crider said.

The computer was seized and forensically processed by detectives. Kiritsis told police he did not download the pornographic materials, but it may have been downloaded by his son, with whom he shared the computer. He also denied showing the materials to the girl, Crider said. Police spoke with Kiritsis’ son, Crider said, who also denied downloading the materials.

It is unclear whether the abuse was an isolated incident, Crider said.
BPD Detective Jason Shaevitz received a warrant for the suspect’s arrest Thursday.

— Kirsten Clark