Peru couple arrested on child molestation charges

PERU, Ind. (WANE)  On Friday, August 10, 2012, Indiana State Police arrested a Peru, Indiana couple on charges of  child molestation.

Karl A Wikstrom Jr.,  was arrested at his home on 1069 N. Lincoln Street. State Police officers served him a Miami Circuit Court arrest warrant alleging five class A felony counts of child molestation. He also faces a class C felony charge of child molestation and class D felony count of child solicitation. He is incarcerated in the Miami County Jail with a bond of $260,000.

Karl’s wife, Leslie A. Wikstrom, 36, was also arrested. Officers served her with a Miami Circuit Court arrest warrant at a multi-discipline rehabilitation facility in South Bend, Indiana. She was transported to the Miami County Jail where she faces two class A felony charges for child molestation and aiding, inducing, or causing child molestation to occur. She also faces felony charges for child solicitation and neglect of a dependent. Her bond is set a $110,000.

Detective Rozzi started his one month investigation after receiving information from the Miami County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services that the Wikstroms had allegedly committed sexual acts with two 13-year-old Miami County girls.

Rozzi’s investigation revealed that purportedly Leslie and Karl Wikstrom repeatedly committed sexual acts on two 13 years-old girls. The alleged crimes occurred at a Miami County home starting in 2010 until the spring of 2012.

Rozzi was assisted in this investigation by Indiana State Police Detective First Sergeant Bob Burgess, Detective Sergeant Rob Ricks, Master Trooper Detective Mike Tarrh, Trooper Mike Lorona, and case managers from the Miami County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services.