Accused escapee issued warning by judge

VALPARAISO | As Porter Superior Judge Bill Alexa entered the courtroom Friday morning, April Kuchta, 18, appeared without an attorney and was swiveling in her chair.

Community corrections program escapee arrested in Valpo

VALPARAISO | An 18-year-old woman who fled from a home detention program on Feb. 6 was arrested Thursday morning in Valparaiso.

Woman faces escape charges

VALPARAISO | An 18-year-old woman, who pleaded guilty in 2011 to handcuffing and sexually assaulting a teenage Valparaiso boy, is missing and faces two felony counts of escape.

Teen pleads guilty in Valparaiso sex assault case

VALPARAISO | A 17-year-old girl charged as an adult with confining and sexually assaulting a teenage boy will serve much less time if a last-minute plea agreement struck Tuesday is accepted.

Teen handcuff trial in Porter County expected to take longer than usual

VALPARAISO | Prosecutors said Friday they expect it will take longer than the usual week to try 17-year-old April Kuchta on charges of handcuffing, confining and sexually assaulting a teenage boy.

Mental disability challenged in Porter County sex abuse case

VALPARAISO | The defense in a high-profile confinement and sexual assault case is challenging a claim that the purported male victim is mentally disabled and thus was more susceptible to the attack.

Judge denies release of school records

VALPARAISO | A judge declined to order the release of school records Friday pertaining to a 17-year-old boy allegedly handcuffed, confined and sexually assaulted by two girls.

Attorney allowed access to 'potentially humiliating' footage

VALPARAISO | The defense attorney for a 17-year-old girl charged with handcuffing, confining and sexually assaulting a teenage boy will have access to a DVD containing cellphone videos from the alleged incident.

Defense fights for evidence in sex case

VALPARAISO | Public defender Bob Harper is battling to obtain a copy of evidence he says is critical in defending 17-year-old April Kuchta, who is charged with handcuffing, confining and sexually assaulting a teenage boy.

Large bond set for girl in sex abuse case

VALPARAISO | Bond has been set at $100,000 cash and $100,000 surety for the 16-year-old Valparaiso girl charged as an adult this week on accusations of handcuffing, confining for hours and sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy.