A Christian County Grand Jury returned indictments for first-degree sexual abuse and multiple counts of abandonment of a minor Friday.
The indictment returned against 36-year old Mario Fredrick of Hermitage, Tennessee alleges that in October in Christian County, Fredrick performed sex acts on himself in the presence of a 6-year old and another minor under the age of 18. He reportedly knew they were present at the time. On that same day, he allegedly revealed his genitals to a 16-year old victim at a business in Oak Grove. A check of his criminal history reportedly revealed that he had three prior convictions of indecent exposure.
He was indicted for indecent exposure and first-degree sexual abuse.
Also indicted are 32-year old Sunshine Austin and 48-year old Johnny Austin, both of Hopkinsville on charges of abandonment of a minor, multiple counts of possession of heroin, methamphetamine and synthetic drugs, criminal trespassing, tampering with physical evidence, illegal possession of a legend drug and endangering the welfare of a minor.
They were arrested in February on drug related charges and allegedly did not tell law enforcement that there were two children in their custody. The children were left to care for themselves and were reportedly going to different locations to find food. Investigation determined that neither child was enrolled in school or a home school program.
35-year old Ashley Hart of Fort Charlotte, Florida was indicted for abandonment a minor, as her 15-year old son was one of the children in the Austin’s custody. She had allegedly allowed the child to leave South Carolina with the Austins without giving them any power of attorney for the juvenile. When the Austins were arrested, Hart was contacted and informed that her child had not been attending school for over six months and had been left to fend for himself. When told she needed to come get him, she allegedly said “Do you think I am made of money?” An officer has requested an arrest warrant.
Also indicted for abandonment of a minor is 21-year old Emily Dearinger of Hopkinsville, who while being arrested on a warrant February told officers she had a 9-month old home alone. The infant was reportedly found alone in a crib with a soaked diaper along with evidence that the child had been that way for a significant amount of time. Multiple items of drugs and drug paraphernalia were also allegedly found in the home.
