69 SOUTH

A dismembered body dumped in rural Indiana. A classic Oldsmobile Cutlass that vanished without a trace. A stolen car stereo that sparked a deadly grudge. After more than 30 years of silence, the brutal 1992 murder of Tony Bledsoe is finally coming to light, revealing the dark secrets buried in a small Indiana town.

When human remains - lacking a head, hands, and feet - were discovered at an illegal dump site near Greencastle in April 1992, investigators had little to go on. The victim remained unidentified for decades until a shocking tip in 2019 set the case in motion. Thomas L. Anderson Jr. now stands accused of luring Bledsoe to his death over a dispute involving stolen car parts and a $3,000 stereo system.

The details that emerged are nothing short of horrific. According to testimony, after Bledsoe was shot and stabbed multiple times, his body was dismembered, with the separated parts encased in concrete and the torso spray-painted black before being discarded. The cold-blooded nature of the crime wasn't just about murder - it was a calculated attempt to ensure the victim would never be identified.

What makes this case particularly chilling is how the alleged perpetrators continued living in plain sight for decades. While Anderson awaits his July 2025 court date, his alleged accomplice Andy Emmert remained employed as the utility superintendent in Atlanta, Indiana until recently being terminated by the town council. Despite police seizing a knife matching the murder weapon and two Oldsmobile Cutlasses during a raid on Emmert's property, he hasn't been charged - creating division in the small community.

Tony Bledsoe's son, who bears a striking resemblance to his father, has made a public plea for additional information. As he poignantly asked in a recent interview: "I want to know why. What's the point?" His question echoes the senselessness of a brutal murder allegedly committed over a trivial dispute.

Have you ever wondered what secrets hide beneath the surface of America's small towns? Join us as we explore how a 30-year-old murder case finally broke open and the ripple effects it's having on a community forced to confront its darkest chapter.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

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Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

Murder came quietly to rural Indiana on a cold February night in 1977. While the rest of the country was preparing for Valentine's Day celebrations, a family in Park County faced unimaginable horror when armed intruders entered their double-wide mobile home and changed their lives forever.

The case known locally as the "Valentine's Day Massacre" bears no relation to its famous Chicago namesake, but carries just as much weight for those who remember this shocking crime. Four brothers—Reeve, Ralph, Raymond, and Gregory—were systematically executed in their own home, while their mother Betty Spencer was shot but miraculously survived. The brutal, execution-style killings stunned the tight-knit communities of western Indiana, shattering the sense of security that small-town residents had long taken for granted.

What makes this case particularly chilling is its seemingly random nature. As we explore through original newspaper reports and local accounts, this wasn't a robbery gone wrong or a crime of passion—it was methodical, calculated violence that came "absolutely out of nowhere." The perpetrators forced their way into the home from multiple entrances, ordered the family to lie face down, and coldly fired shotgun blasts into each victim one by one.

The Valentine's Day Massacre of 1977 raises profound questions about safety in rural America and how communities cope when violence invades spaces previously thought immune to such tragedy. Was this a targeted attack? What happened to the investigation? And how did this brutal crime transform the outlook of an entire region? Join us as we uncover this forgotten piece of true crime history that continues to haunt western Indiana nearly five decades later.

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Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

The fifth installment of our Fortinberry case coverage delivers the most disturbing revelations yet. What started as inappropriate conduct with high school students has escalated into a nightmare involving allegations of child molestation, incest, and sexual gratification with her biological son.

Detective Patrick Williams received a devastating report that led to a forensic interview with Fortinberry’s young son at Susie's Place. The seven-year-old boy detailed sexual abuse so explicit and heartbreaking that it's difficult to comprehend. His testimony describes being manipulated into performing sexual acts while still believing he was simply pleasing his mother – a fundamental betrayal of the most sacred trust between parent and child.

The legal ramifications continue to expand as Nicholas Fortinberry now faces charges of intimidation and failure to report, allegedly threatening a 13-year-old boy who was involved with Brittany. Court documents suggest he warned the teen not to continue any relationship with his wife until turning 16, demonstrating knowledge of inappropriate conduct. Meanwhile, Brittany's legal team has undergone changes, with new counsel halting previously requested psychological examinations.

This case forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about how society perceives female perpetrators differently than their male counterparts. Would public reaction be different if the genders were reversed? Why do some minimize the trauma when boys are victimized by women in positions of authority?

We remain committed to following this case to its conclusion, providing updates on every development. For those wanting deeper insights, our Patreon offers access to all legal documents, bonus episodes, and exclusive content. Whether you're a subscriber or not, we appreciate your support as we navigate reporting on these difficult but necessary stories.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

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Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

A shocking case unfolds as we meticulously examine the probable cause affidavit filed against Jacob Wessel, a former robotics teacher at Mooresville Christian Academy in Indiana. The document reveals disturbing allegations of grooming behavior directed at a 13-year-old student, including inappropriate text messages stating he was "in love" with her and wanted to kiss her. Most troublingly, Wessel allegedly provided the minor with Adderall on school grounds and marijuana at his home—classic grooming tactics that escalated over several months.

What makes this case particularly disturbing is the apparent pattern of institutional failure. We analyze a letter from the school administration that attempted to downplay Wessel's dismissal, claiming previous accusations had been "unfounded" while expressing disappointment that parents continued to raise concerns. Through documentation dating back to 2022, we uncover multiple parent complaints about Wessel allowing female students to sit on his lap during class—complaints that were not only dismissed but met with threats to expel families who continued voicing concerns.

The victim's forensic interview reveals the complex emotional manipulation at play. Despite feeling uncomfortable with Wessel's behavior, she remained conflicted about reporting him due to her close relationship with his family. When she developed feelings for Wessel's son, the teacher allegedly tried to convince her to like him instead—a disturbing display of jealousy that speaks volumes about his intentions.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder of how predatory behavior often follows recognizable patterns and how institutional protection of staff can create dangerous environments for children. Have you encountered situations where concerns about an adult's behavior with children were dismissed? How can we better empower children to speak up when adults cross boundaries? Join the conversation on our social media pages and consider supporting our investigative work through our Patreon at patreon.com/69South.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

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Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

A white Pontiac Firebird speeds northbound in the southbound lanes of State Road 67 at nearly 100 mph, T-tops removed, blonde hair blowing in the wind. Inside, four children clutch whatever they can as witnesses report them screaming. The driver, 32-year-old Judy Kirby, appears eerily calm, "stoic" and "on a mission" according to those who swerved to avoid her.

What drives a mother of ten to commit an act that would claim seven lives, including three of her own children, her nephew celebrating his 10th birthday, and a father with his two teenagers in an oncoming van? Was it the postpartum depression diagnosed just months after giving birth to her youngest child? The paranoia that federal agents were watching her? Or was it something more deliberate – a calculated decision that would lead to one of the longest prison sentences in Indiana history?

We explore the devastating crash that shook Martinsville, Indiana on March 25, 2000, examining the evidence that led prosecutors to charge Judy with seven counts of murder rather than manslaughter. The haunting timeline reveals a woman who drove at lethal speeds for nearly two miles in the wrong direction, passing multiple opportunities to correct course, moments after calmly purchasing candy bars at a gas station for the children who would perish minutes later.

Beyond the courtroom drama and 215-year sentence that followed, we delve into the lasting trauma experienced by survivors, including Louise Reel Casari who lost her husband and two children in the crash. "For the survivor, it is never really over," she reflects. "You just tuck it away and continue with life." Two decades later, seven crosses still stand at the crash site – silent sentinels marking lives cut tragically short and forcing us to confront difficult questions about mental health, accountability, and justice when unthinkable tragedy strikes.

Join our Patreon community at patreon.com/69south for early episode releases, exclusive bonus content, and access to legal documents that deepen your understanding of this complex case.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

Ready for your jaw to hit the floor? We're diving deep into the mind-boggling case of Janet Mello—aka "The Gucci Goddess"—who pulled off one of the largest frauds in U.S. Army history while working as a modest civilian financial manager.

Picture this: a government employee making $130,000 annually somehow manages to divert $109 million meant for military children's programs into her own pockets over seven years. Her secret? Creating a fake organization called Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development (CHYLD) that existed as nothing more than a UPS store mailbox and a bank account. While military families lost valuable support programs, Janet was busy building an empire of excess—31 properties across five states, 82 luxury vehicles including Maseratis and Ferraris, and jewelry shopping sprees topping $900,000 in a single day.

The most shocking part isn't just the astronomical sum she stole, but how easily she got away with it for so long. With near-complete control over the grant process and a reputation as a "subject matter expert," Janet exploited catastrophic oversight failures within Army financial systems. Nobody questioned why millions were flowing to her shell organization until the IRS finally noticed her tax returns didn't match her Kardashian-level spending habits. By then, delivery drivers were already nicknaming her "The Gucci Goddess" for her endless designer purchases.

We explore the psychology behind Janet's extraordinary fraud, the failures that allowed it to continue, and what happened when her empire came crashing down. After her arrest, she managed to retire with full benefits before a judge ruled 95% of her pension must go toward restitution, leaving her with just $224 monthly for prison commissary. Now serving 15 years behind bars, Janet's story raises disturbing questions about government accountability and financial controls. Join us for this wild ride through greed, glamour, and the audacity of someone who thought they'd never get caught.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

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Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

Four words will haunt the parents of Brownsburg, Indiana for years to come: "We handled it ourselves." Those words, spoken by daycare administrators who chose their reputation over children's safety, allowed Gabriel Garner to continue working with kids despite multiple red flags and disturbing allegations.

The horror began unfolding when a concerned teacher finally contacted authorities in April 2025, revealing that several incidents involving Garner had been swept under the rug by Main Street University for Kids owner Nancy Minton and director Jennifer Lingbeck. What emerged was a pattern of systematic abuse spanning years - children being inappropriately touched, a perpetrator who asked young girls for kisses, and text messages about three-year-olds with "foot fetishes."

Most disturbing wasn't just what Garner did, but how the daycare responded when parents raised concerns. When a mother reported her five-year-old daughter had been forced to touch Garner's genitals, administrators allegedly showed selective surveillance footage and convinced the family nothing had happened. They conducted their own "investigations" rather than contacting police or DCS as legally required. One parent described feeling "gaslit" into doubting her own child's disclosure.

The consequences of this institutional failure became devastatingly clear when police examined Garner's phone - approximately 125,000 pornographic images, many involving children from the daycare. The horror of what had been allowed to continue through negligence and willful blindness left the community reeling. Now Garner faces 43 felony charges including child molesting, child exploitation, and possession of child pornography, while serious questions remain about why those tasked with protecting children failed so completely.

This case forces us all to examine how well we're protecting society's most vulnerable members. What systems failed these children? How many warning signs were ignored? And what must change to prevent another Gabriel Garner from exploiting positions of trust? Whether you're a parent, educator, or concerned citizen, this story demands we do better. Follow our ongoing coverage of this developing case as we seek answers and accountability for those who couldn't protect themselves.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

Oaklee Snow's tragic death in 2023 could have been prevented if the justice system hadn't failed her through a lenient plea deal given to her killer years earlier. We investigate how Rowan Waters went from facing decades in prison to walking free in just four years, only to allegedly murder little Oakley by February 2023.

• Roan Waters' 2017 arrest for armed burglary with multiple felonies that should have kept him behind bars until 2037
• How a lenient plea deal reduced his sentence from a potential 42.5 years to just 5 years, with release after only 4
• The Oklahoma domestic violence and child abuse charges that sent Waters on the run with Madison Marshall and her children
• Detailed timeline of February 9, 2023—the day Oaklee was killed in Indianapolis
• The disturbing discovery of Oaklee's body in a dresser drawer at an abandoned Morgantown property
• Madison's plea deal and upcoming testimony against Waters in his June 2025 trial
• The systemic failures that let a violent offender free to allegedly commit murder

Join our Patreon at patreon.com/69South for early access to episodes, behind-the-scenes content on how we research cases, exclusive bonus episodes, and special shoutouts.

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Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

The horrific torture and murder of Sylvia Likens stands as one of America's most disturbing cases of child abuse—a stark reminder of what happens when an entire community turns a blind eye to suffering.

Summer 1965 in Indianapolis was a time of Beatles records and drive-in movies, but behind the doors of a rundown house on East New York Street, 16-year-old Sylvia was experiencing unimaginable cruelty. After being left with Gertrude Baniszewski while her carnival-worker parents traveled, Sylvia became the target of escalating abuse that transformed from slaps and verbal humiliation into systematic torture over three devastating months.

What makes this case particularly haunting is how Gertrude manipulated not just her own seven children but neighborhood teenagers into participating in the abuse. Sylvia was beaten with paddles, burned with cigarettes, starved, and eventually confined to the basement where she lived on a filthy mattress. The words "I'm a prostitute and proud of it" were carved into her stomach with a heated needle. All while nurses, social workers, and neighbors saw signs but did nothing—assuming it was simply "family business" in an era when child welfare wasn't yet taken seriously.

We explore the psychological dynamics that allowed this horror show to unfold, examining how Gertrude—a 37-year-old single mother struggling with illness and poverty—created a hierarchy where hurting Sylvia became a way to gain approval. The justice system's failure is equally disturbing, with Gertrude receiving life imprisonment but walking free after just 20 years, while teenage participants served minimal sentences.

Sylvia's legacy lives on through the child protection reforms her case helped inspire. But as we honor her memory, we must ask ourselves: have we truly learned to recognize and intervene when children are at risk, or could a similar tragedy happen today? Join us for this powerful, heartbreaking discussion that will change how you think about community responsibility.

Share your thoughts on child protection in your community, and remember the Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453. Let's ensure no child slips through the cracks again.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

The dark underbelly of small-town America surfaces in this gripping episode as we examine the disturbing case of Nathan Bailey, a 59-year-old Martinsville man now facing one count of child exploitation and 33 charges of possession of child pornography.

When vigilante groups "Bikers Against Predators" and "Predator Poachers" discovered connections between Bailey and another predator they'd investigated in Michigan, they drove straight to Morgan County to confront him. What followed was a community showdown that ultimately led to Bailey's arrest and the shocking discovery of dozens of videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of infants and young children.

We break down the probable cause affidavit in meticulous detail, revealing Bailey's attempts to position himself near children by falsely claiming to be a youth pastor and daycare worker at New Life Christian Church in Paragon. Though the church confirms he was never employed there, community members share troubling accounts of his volunteer activities and presence around children in various settings.

The investigation uncovered Bailey's sophisticated understanding of how to acquire and distribute child pornography using platforms like Telegram, even purchasing gift cards to pay for content while attempting to hide his digital footprints. His claim of having "the mental capacity of a 10-year-old" falls apart under scrutiny as investigators note his calculated responses and awareness of legal consequences—he'd even researched the penalties for his crimes.

This episode serves as both a warning about predators hiding in plain sight and a testament to how vigilant community action can bring them to justice. Bailey remains in custody on a substantial bond with strict conditions should he be released. We'll continue monitoring this developing case as forensic investigations proceed and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Subscribe to our Patreon for exclusive content and join us in our mission to expose predators and protect our communities.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!