12/11/2024
**Disturbing Plea Deal Looms in Wabash County Child S/A Case**
Wabash County, IN - In a troubling turn of events, the community is grappling with the proposed plea agreement in the case of Gerald Thompson, a man accused of sexually abusing two young girls, ages 8 and 9.
The investigation began on September 16, 2021, when the Wabash County Department of Child Services (DCS) received a report of possible child molestation involving Victim 1, an 8-year-old girl. The child alleged that her mother's ex-boyfriend, Thompson, had s******* assaulted her approximately two years prior. Victim 1 also revealed that her 9-year-old cousin, Victim 2, had experienced similar abuse by Thompson.
DCS promptly arranged for a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) interview with Victim 2, where the young girl disclosed harrowing details. She stated that the inappropriate touching started when she was 8 years old and continued when her grandmother was away. Victim 2 described multiple instances of abuse, including being forced to perform sexual acts, and noted that Thompson had threatened her to keep silent about the incidents.
Following the investigation, Thompson was arrested and faced serious charges in Wabash Circuit Court, including four counts of child mo*******—two Level 4 Felonies and two Level 1 Felonies. However, on November 24, 2024, Thompson's attorney filed a change of plea along with a proposed plea agreement.
This agreement would drop the four counts of child mo******* in exchange for a guilty plea to two counts of battery, which are Level 6 Felonies, with a sentence of only 30 months for each count. If accepted on December 23, Thompson could potentially be released, having served more time than the plea bargain stipulates.
The parents of the victims are understandably devastated by this development. Tara Jackson, the aunt of both of the girls and adoptive mother of Victim 2, expressed her anguish, stating, "Those girls have been having nightmares ever since they reported the abuse. Because he threatened to k*** them if they ever told. Now we may have to tell them he's getting out."
The community is rallying to support the victims and voice their concerns about the proposed plea deal. Many are questioning the implications of such an agreement in a case involving serious allegations of child abuse. The welfare of the victims remains the top priority as this case continues to unfold.
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