WASHINGTON CO. – Around 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, investigators and Troopers from the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg arrested a Pekin man on a charge of child molestation.
Detective Travis Baker, assigned to Indiana State Police -Sellersburg, launched an investigation in early July of 2023 after he was contacted by the Indiana Department of Child Services and learned of possible illegal sexual conduct between Robert Higginbotham, 46, of Pekin, and a pre-teen female victim.
During the investigation, Detective Baker learned alleged sexual conduct occurred between Higginbotham and the child during the summer of 2021. The alleged incidents took place at a Pekin, residence where Higginbotham was temporarily residing.
As part of the investigation, Detective Baker interviewed family members of the alleged victim as well as Robert Higginbotham. The Indiana Department of Child Services conducted a forensic interview with the victim.
Detective Baker submitted all information gathered during his investigation to the Washington County Prosecutor and, as a result of the investigation, Detective Baker requested an arrest warrant for Robert Higginbotham.
On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Trooper Brett Walters located Higginbotham at a Harrison County residence, where he was arrested on the warrant charging him with one count of child molestation, a Level 4 felony, and taken into custody without incident.
Higginbotham was remanded into the custody of the Washington County Jail.
