Michael E. Horne, 53 (Kokomo Police Department)
A 53-year-old man has been arrested for sex trafficking after police say they found a missing boy in his home who was allegedly lethargic and had hickeys on his neck.
Michael Horne of Kokomo, Indiana, faces charges of promoting child sex trafficking in a case discovered after police received a tip about a missing boy this week, officials said in a news release.
Additional charges are expected to be submitted to the Howard County District Attorney’s Office, police said.
The case came to light last Sunday when Kokomo police were contacted by the Tell City Police Department, 200 miles away, about a 14-year-old boy who went missing a day earlier.
Police obtained an address of his possible location and found him inside the residence.
The teen was found near a bathroom door, had hickeys on his neck and appeared lethargic, according to an arrest report obtained by NBC affiliate WTHR.
The station said security cameras showed Horne’s car driving in and out of the town where the teen was missing.
Horne denied communicating with the teen prior to their encounter that day, the station reported, citing the arrest report. He reportedly told police he let the teenager stay in his bed while he slept in the living room.
“When police asked Horne if there was any reason his DNA was present on the teen’s body, the arrest report says Horne replied, ‘Well…’ before pausing. and ask for a lawyer,” the station said.
Electronic devices seized from the home contained suspected child sexual abuse material on one device, police said.
The neighbors were shocked.
“It’s very concerning,” one mother told WTHR. “I have two little ones. It’s not ok.”
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Austin Bailey at 765-456-7280 or [email protected] You may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip. Tips can also be submitted using the Tip411 app.
Do you have a tip we should know? [email protected]