Bloomington man arrested for molesting 12-year-old

A Bloomington man was arrested for child molestation at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday after the 12-year-old female alleged victim reported the crime to police.

When officers from the Bloomington Police Department responded to the victim’s residence to speak with the victim and her mother, Sgt. Dana Cole said the victim went to stay the night at a friend’s house Friday evening.

After arriving at her friend’s house, she and her friend decided to stay at another girl’s home. Cole said the victim first called her mother and got permission. The victim’s mother did not know the second girl or her father, Steven B. Pollard, 36, who was arrested for alleged child molestation, a Class C felony.

At about 9 a.m. Saturday, the victim said she was sleeping on the floor in Pollard’s living room next to the couch, where Cole said Pollard was sleeping. Lying face down, she told police she felt something touch her buttocks.

At first, she ignored it. But then she said it happened again. To protect herself, Cole said she turned onto her back. Pollard then allegedly rubbed his hands between her legs above her clothes.

Pollard was arrested, although he denied the allegations, Cole said. The victim was taken to Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center, where she was interviewed by BPD detectives and Child Protective Services.

— Mark Keierleber