A trusted mentor. Four phones. Hundreds of messages. We trace how a robotics “helper” turned access into leverage and mentorship into control, grooming a 17-year-old through flattery, secrecy, and fear. The story unfolds in stages: off-campus meetups, gas station weed, a house visit that became a crime scene, and a flight to a rural hideout where deputies later seized devices and a firearm. What emerges through texts, diary entries, and an interview is a pattern that experts recognize: minimize boundaries, isolate the target, reframe coercion as care, and blame “primal nature” when caught.

We walk through the timeline from the first contact to delayed disclosure, explaining why many survivors need time to speak and how Indiana’s mandatory reporting laws apply to any adult who learns of abuse. The seized digital evidence matters: workstations, hard drives, a tablet, and messaging apps that enable secrecy. In his own words, the accused admits attraction to younger people, claims he can control urges, and insists age is “a legal problem,” not a moral one. Those statements aren’t slips—they’re a window into intent, entitlement, and the rationalizations that let grooming thrive in plain sight.

This conversation isn’t just about one case; it’s a checklist for prevention. We unpack school oversight failures, credential gaps, and the need for bright-line boundaries: no private texting between staff and students, two-adult supervision rules, transparent communication channels, and third‑party audits. For families, we share practical steps: monitor secondary apps, set exit phrases for unsafe situations, and debrief after any one-on-one mentorship. And to survivors: your voice matters, your timing is valid, and corroboration is possible.

Hear the full breakdown, then help us push for safer schools and stronger accountability. If this episode moved you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so others can find it. Your support helps us keep the lights on and the stories coming.

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