Kiwi News Network

 A coordinated investigation involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrest of a 64-year-old man accused in a serious child exploitation case connected to Hendricks County. Authorities say the investigation began on February 13, 2026, after investigators received information that child sexual abuse material had allegedly been produced. Officials also learned the child depicted in the material was believed to be living with the suspect in Vigo County, prompting an urgent response. Detectives from the Terre Haute Police Department, working alongside the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the FBI, moved quickly to obtain a search warrant. That warrant was executed later the same day at the suspect’s residence with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies from across the region. Following the search, Steven E. Ray, 64, was taken into custody. Prosecutors in Hendricks County have filed multiple felony charges agai...

  AVON, Ind. — Concerns have been raised by a Hendricks County parent after she says a teacher at Avon Middle School North followed and exchanged direct messages with her daughter on Instagram. According to the parent, she received an email addressing the situation and was told the teacher had interacted with her child on social media. The parent also said she was informed other students may have had contact with the teacher as well, though those reports have not been independently confirmed. The student involved is now in high school but previously attended Avon Middle School North, where the teacher worked during the prior school year. In an email provided to the parent, an Avon High School administrator confirmed the situation had been reviewed by school officials. The message stated that a small number of messages were exchanged between the teacher and student and that the matter was examined internally. School officials indicated they found nothing of a criminal nature in the...

 STILESVILLE, Ind. — Court records are revealing disturbing allegations following the death of an 11-year-old girl in Stilesville earlier this month , a case that has now led to serious felony charges against her parents. Kenneth Vasquez, 39, and Elba Vazquez, 35, are each charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony under Indiana law. Both remain held in the Hendricks County Jail on $1 million bonds as the case proceeds through the courts. Emergency crews were dispatched to the family’s home in the 6000 block of West U.S. 40 shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 14 after the child was reported unresponsive. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but the girl was pronounced deceased at the scene. According to information contained in court filings, investigators quickly began to suspect the death may have been the result of ongoing neglect and abuse. Interviews conducted with other children in the home, along with physical evidence collected inside...

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. —  Wayne Township Fire Department responded to a residential fire on Southernwood Lane in the Cameron Meadows neighborhood near the Hendricks County line Thursday evening, with assistance from Plainfield and Avon fire crews. Firefighters were dispatched to reports of a working house fire in the neighborhood. Early indications suggest the fire may have been sparked by a lightning strike as storms moved through the area. Crews worked to contain the fire while operating on scene. Officials have not yet released information regarding injuries or the extent of damage to the home. The incident remains under review, and additional details may be released as investigators determine the exact cause of the fire.

  AVON, Indiana — New details have been released in connection with the fatal crash that occurred Wednesday along U.S. 36 in Hendricks County, including the identity of the semi driver accused of causing the collision. Authorities have identified the driver as 24-year-old Sukhdeep Singh. His mugshot was released after he was taken into custody at the scene by Indiana State Police. Law enforcement sources confirm Singh is currently being held on an immigration hold by federal authorities while the crash investigation continues. Formal charges related to the fatal collision have not yet been announced. Investigators say the crash happened after the semi Singh was driving ran a red light at the intersection, leading to the collision that killed a Hendricks County man. Officials spent several hours at the scene documenting evidence and reconstructing the crash. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional updates are expected as authorities continue reviewing the circumstance...

  AVON, Indiana — One person is dead following a three-vehicle crash that shut down part of U.S. 36 near Avon on Wednesday afternoon. The crash happened around midday at the intersection of U.S. 36 and County Road 525 East. According to investigators, a semitrailer traveling eastbound on U.S. 36 failed to stop for a red light and collided with a northbound pickup truck entering the intersection. The impact forced the pickup across the grassy median, where it then struck another vehicle that had been waiting in the left-turn lane on the westbound side of the highway. The driver of the pickup, who was the only occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say no other people involved in the crash suffered life-threatening injuries. Eastbound U.S. 36 remained shut down at the scene for several hours while investigators documented the crash and crews worked to clear the roadway. The closure lasted from the time of the crash until about 5 p.m.

 BEECH GROVE, Indiana — The Beech Grove community is mourning the loss of one of its own after Officer Brian Elliott died from injuries sustained in the line of duty Tuesday evening. According to Beech Grove Police, officers were dispatched around 6:08 p.m. to the 100 block of Diplomat Court for a reported disturbance. When officers arrived, gunfire erupted, striking Officer Elliott and another responding officer. Both were transported to Eskenazi Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite lifesaving efforts by medical personnel, Officer Elliott succumbed to his injuries. The second injured officer remains in stable condition and is expected to survive. Officer Elliott’s death has sent shockwaves through the Beech Grove Police Department and surrounding law enforcement agencies. Officials expressed gratitude to hospital staff, partner agencies, and community members who responded to the incident and offered support in its aftermath. Family members, fellow officers, and the Bee...

  BEECH GROVE, Indiana — Law enforcement agencies across the Indianapolis area are actively searching for an armed suspect after two Beech Grove police officers were shot during a disturbance near Beech Grove High School. The shooting occurred in the 100 block of Diplomat Court, prompting a large emergency response and assistance from multiple agencies, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Authorities confirmed both officers were injured in the incident. Their conditions have not been fully detailed publicly as the investigation continues. Officials have identified the suspect as 47-year-old Kenneth Terrell Johnson , who is considered armed and dangerous. He is described as approximately 6 feet tall, around 165 pounds, with a slender build. Police say he was last seen wearing a royal blue hooded sweatshirt. Authorities are urging residents in and around the Indianapolis metro area to remain alert and report any suspicious activity. Because the suspect rema...

  PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Firefighters from multiple departments responded to a residential fire in Plainfield on Sunday afternoon, bringing the situation under control within minutes of arriving. According to dispatch information, crews from the Plainfield, Mooresville, and Decatur Township Fire Departments were sent to the area of Edgewood Court and Timberwood Court at approximately 2:38 p.m. for a reported house fire. First-arriving units encountered fire conditions at the scene, but firefighters were able to act quickly, knocking down the flames within about seven minutes of their arrival. The rapid response helped prevent the fire from spreading further and limited the duration of the incident. At this time, officials have not released information regarding injuries, the extent of damage to the home, or what may have caused the fire. An investigation into the incident is expected.

AVON, Ind. —  Emergency responders were called to the area of US-36 in front of the Meijer gas station earlier today after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. Avon Police and the Avon Fire Department responded to the scene and worked the incident along the busy corridor. Authorities have not released the condition of the pedestrian. Traffic in the area was affected while responders handled the situation. The incident comes just days after a separate pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit-and-run at US-36 & Bridgeport, renewing safety concerns along one of the town’s busiest roadways.

  STILESVILLE, Ind . — Two parents have been charged in connection with the death of an 11-year-old girl  earlier today in Stilesville, according to court records and law enforcement officials. Kenneth Vasquez and Elba Vasquez have each been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death following the investigation into the incident in the 6000 block of West U.S. 40. Emergency crews were originally dispatched to the home at approximately 1:30 a.m., where responders found the child unresponsive. Despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced deceased at the scene. Following the investigation, authorities determined the circumstances warranted criminal charges. Both individuals are now facing felony counts related to the case. Officials have not released additional details about the specific circumstances that led to the charges. The case remains ongoing as it moves through the court process. As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendants a...

  STILESVILLE, Ind. — The Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an active investigation following an early morning emergency response in Stilesville that resulted in the death of a juvenile. According to information provided by the Sheriff’s Office, deputies and emergency medical personnel were dispatched at approximately 1:30 a.m. Saturday to the 6000 block of West U.S. 40 after receiving a report of an unresponsive 11-year-old girl. Upon arrival, first responders immediately began life-saving efforts. Despite those attempts, the child was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials say the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing. At this time, authorities have indicated there is no threat to the community. No additional details have been released, and the Sheriff’s Office has not yet provided information on the cause of death or what led to the emergency response. An update to this story can be found here. Photo Credit: Brian Coope...

As Hendricks County continues to grow and more residents commute across Central Indiana for work and social life, some say building friendships as an adult isn’t as easy as it once was. Changing work patterns, remote jobs, and population growth are all reshaping how people connect — and where they find community. One Indianapolis-based group says it has seen that shift firsthand. BFF Indy , a women-focused social community founded in Indianapolis in 2021, began after founder FrancesMary Loughead moved to the city and struggled to build a social circle. What started as small gatherings quickly expanded into a network connecting tens of thousands of women across Central Indiana, including participants from surrounding counties such as Hendricks. Today, the group reports reaching more than 45,000 women through online outreach and in-person events held throughout the Indianapolis metro area. Organizers say their goal is to create intentional spaces where women can meet face-to-face and for...

The fire was reported at 3:18 a.m. at a home located on Avon Ave between Northfield Rd and French St. The Plainfield Fire Department responded to the scene and was assisted by the Avon Fire Department. Firefighters arrived to active fire conditions and immediately began working to bring the blaze under control. Crews remained on scene for an extended period as they extinguished the fire and checked for any remaining hotspots. Plainfield Police shut down Avon Ave in the area to allow emergency personnel to operate safely. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes while crews worked. There has been no official word yet regarding injuries. The cause of the fire has not been released and remains under investigation. Photo Credit: Plainfield Fire Territory   

 PLAINFIELD, IN — Multiple fire departments from Plainfield and Avon responded to a working building fire at the Historic Thomas Little Mansion on Tuesday at  Fire crews arrived to find active flames and quickly began suppression efforts. Thanks to a fast and coordinated response, crews were able to knock down the fire in under 30 minutes. No injuries were reported. The Thomas Little Mansion is a Victorian-era home originally built in 1885. In June 2024, the Town of Plainfield, with assistance from Hendricks Regional Health, relocated the historic structure from its original site to its current location at 4590 Vandalia Blvd as part of a preservation effort. At this time, officials have not released information regarding the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage. Additional details are expected as fire investigators continue their work.

 A Hendricks County judge has sentenced S’Doni Pettis to 74 years in the Indiana Department of Correction , the maximum sentence allowed under Indiana law , following a violent police pursuit that ended in a catastrophic crash and the deaths of two young children. The sentence was imposed in Hendricks County Circuit Court . Earlier this year, Pettis pled guilty to all charges midway through his trial , and the court entered convictions on every count related to the incident. The case stems from the morning of February 5, 2025 , when Pettis, who was already on probation in Marion County for aggravated battery, stole a vehicle in Indianapolis and fled west toward Hendricks County. After an Avon police officer confirmed the vehicle was stolen and attempted a lawful traffic stop, Pettis chose to flee. Investigators said Pettis sped westbound on U.S. 40 , approaching the intersection at Ronald Reagan Parkway at extreme speeds. He ran a red light and crashed into a family’s SUV , s...

 AVON, Ind. — One of the vehicles involved in a serious crash that flipped an SUV and left a driver trapped had been reported to 911 just minutes earlier for reckless driving , according to dispatch traffic. The crash occurred on US-36 just west of Shiloh Crossing Drive in Avon. Prior to the collision, a broadcast alert regarding the reckless driver had been issued to all Avon-area police officers , warning them of the vehicle’s behavior. Following the crash, Avon Fire Department responded to the scene and conducted an operation to free the trapped driver from the overturned SUV. Emergency crews worked to safely extricate the driver while police secured the area. At this time, no additional details have been released regarding the condition of those involved or whether charges are pending. The incident remains under investigation.

PLAINFIELD, Ind. — A man working at a Plainfield hotel says his legally parked vehicle was struck by a commercial waste truck early in the morning on February 5 , and that he would not have known what happened if not for surveillance video from the property. According to the vehicle owner, Ryan Gray , the incident occurred at approximately 5:53 a.m. while his vehicle was parked in the lot of the Wingate hotel in Plainfield , where he was working at the time. Gray says surveillance footage from the hotel reportedly shows a commercial waste truck operated by LRS striking the driver’s side of his parked vehicle with enough force to move it several inches. He says the driver left the area without notifying him or leaving any contact or insurance information. Gray states that he only became aware of the collision after reviewing the surveillance footage. “I wouldn’t have known anything happened if it wasn’t for the video,” Gray said. Police were later contacted and a report was filed. G...

A two-alarm fire was reported at 6:49 p.m. Monday at the Amazon warehouse in Plainfield, prompting a large emergency response from multiple fire departments. Fire crews from Plainfield, Avon, and several surrounding departments responded to the Amazon facility located at 1750 Smith Rd after a working building fire was reported and later upgraded to a two-alarm incident. Firefighters worked to contain the fire and ensure the safety of everyone inside the building. Officials confirmed that all employees were safely evacuated from the warehouse and that everyone was accounted for. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation. Fire crews remained on scene for several hours, with operations wrapping up just before 10:00 p.m. No additional details have been released at this time. 

 Avon Police have released details surrounding a domestic violence investigation that unfolded earlier this month and ultimately led to an arrest following a peaceful surrender on February 6. Police say officers were initially called to a residence in the Cedar Bend subdivision on February 2 for a reported domestic disturbance. During that incident, a 40-year-old male suspect allegedly barricaded himself inside a bathroom, made violent threats toward responding officers, and was determined to be intentionally starting a fire inside the home. According to police, the suspect resisted arrest and attacked officers with a knife. No officers were injured during the encounter. Officers used less-lethal force to subdue the suspect and prevent further harm. Following the incident, the suspect was transported to a medical facility for emergency treatment and psychological evaluation. In the days that followed, investigators continued reviewing the case and obtained an arrest warrant char...

 Students at Avon High School participated in a walkout today to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), joining a broader wave of student demonstrations happening nationwide. The walkout took place during the school day and remained entirely on school grounds. Students gathered in designated outdoor areas on campus, holding signs and voicing their concerns related to immigration policy and enforcement practices. Participants did not leave school property at any point. The demonstration was student-led and peaceful. School operations continued during the walkout, and there were no reports of safety issues or disruptions beyond students stepping out of class to participate. Students involved said the walkout was intended to raise awareness and express solidarity with immigrant communities. While views on the issue vary, the event served as a way for students to make their voices heard through nonviolent and lawful expression. School officials allowed the demonstration...

  AVON, IN — A man connected to a violent 2023 home invasion and shooting at the Mosaic Apartment Complex in Avon has been convicted on multiple felony charges in Hendricks Superior Court. Following a three-day bench trial, Jermaine Montrel Cole Jr. was found guilty of Burglary as a Level 1 Felony, Attempted Murder as a Level 1 Felony, and Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury as a Level 2 Felony . The case stems from an armed break-in that left a victim with multiple gunshot wounds. According to evidence presented in court, Cole and others forced entry into an apartment while armed, leading to a gunfire exchange inside the residence. The victim was seriously injured but returned fire during the incident. Investigators later determined that Cole arrived at a local hospital shortly after the shooting with gunshot wounds consistent with the exchange. After the incident, law enforcement located a vehicle believed to be involved in the getaway. During attempts to take those i...

A disturbing incident unfolded Sunday morning, February 2nd, at the Avon Walmart involving a firearm inside the store. According to court documents, the incident occurred at approximately 11:42 a.m. in the customer service area of Walmart. Investigators say a 73-year-old male pulled a firearm from his jacket and reportedly held the weapon up to his own head while inside the store. Walmart employees immediately alerted an off-duty Avon Police officer who was present at the location at the time. Before officers were able to confront the individual inside the store, the suspect reportedly left Walmart and drove away. The off-duty officer, identified as Patrolman Brace , forwarded photos of the suspect to an intelligence analyst with the Avon Police Department. Authorities were then able to identify the suspect and locate an address connected to him. Sometime later, Officer Brace responded to 1749 N Lynhurst Drive , where he made contact with the suspect, who was identified as Jerry Gart...

A major lottery prize may still be sitting somewhere in Brownsburg. According to the Hoosier Lottery, a winning Fast Play ticket worth nearly $2 million was sold locally on Friday. The ticket was purchased at the GetGo convenience store located at 1051 N. Green Street . At this time, officials say the winning ticket has not yet been claimed, and the identity of the winner is still unknown. The lottery is encouraging anyone who may have recently purchased a Fast Play ticket in the area to check their tickets carefully. Fast Play games are printed directly from the lottery terminal, meaning the winning ticket could easily be misplaced or forgotten without being checked. Hoosier Lottery representatives remind players that all prizes must be claimed within the required time period, and tickets should be kept in a safe place.