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No. 4 tie-- Former GCGH Chaplain convicted
The conviction of former Greene County General Hospital chaplain and daycare owner Randal Vandeventer on felony a child seduction charge tied for the No. 4 spot for the top news story of 2011.
The 50-year-old Vandeventer was sentenced in late September to 1 1/2 years with the Indiana Department of Corrections for the class D felony charge of child seduction.
The eight-man jury returned the guilty verdict in just 40 minutes against Vandeventer, who was accused of touching and fondling a 17-year-old male.
After his release from prison, he will also be required to register as a convicted sex offender.
Deputy Prosecutor Keven McIntosh, during the trial, pointed out that Vandeventer was in a position of control over the victim. In addition, he said Vandeventer has not taken responsibility for his actions and has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
Vandeventer and his wife, Lia, during court testimony in August, both characterized the victim as a troublemaker who made up the allegations.
The victim did not attend the trial, but had a deposition videotaped in June 2010.
The 97-minute videotaped deposition was shown in lieu of live testimony from the victim to jurors.
The victim testified of fondling encounters in the boy's bedroom, in the kitchen while the victim was washing dishes and in the laundry room.
Vandeventer faces more legal troubles.
A Feb. 13, 2012 trial date has been set for a second, more serious case that involves six counts of child molesting.
The case, filed June 4, 2010, charges Vandeventer with two counts of child molesting -- class A felonies; and four counts of child molesting -- class C felonies. The case involves allegations that center around molestations of young children who attended the former Tiny Town Daycare in Switz City.