HENDRICKS COUNTY — An officer with IMPD has been formally charged with seven felony counts in connection to a child molestation case in Hendricks County, according to jail records.
Kamal Bola, 35, was arrested Tuesday night on three counts of Child Molestation of a child under 14 and Public Voyeurism in Hendricks County. More charges were later added. Seven total charges are listed as follows:
Count 1: Child molesting – Sexual intercourse – Level 1 Felony
Count 2: Sexual Misconduct with a minor – Level 4 Felony
Count 3: Child molesting – Fondling (Breast) – Level 4 Felony
Count 4: Child molesting – Fondling (Penis/Buttocks) – Level 4 Felony
Count 5: Sexual Misconduct with a minor – Lever 6 Felony
Count 6: Voyeurism. Level 6 Felony
Count 7: Obstruction of justice. Level 6 Felony
A $30,000 bond has been set for Bola, according to court records.
On Tuesday, a family member reported the crime to the Hendricks County Sheriff's Office. Detectives investigated the claims and found probable cause to arrest Bola.
Bola, according to court documents, admitted to "touching" a child aged 14 or younger on multiple instances. He also admitted to putting a small camera in the victim's room.
Court documents detail that the child's mother found the camera while cleaning the victim's room.
Bola told police he messed up and further confirmed his confession by writing a letter to the victim to apologize.
The letter read, "[I am] so sorry for [w]hat I did. I should’ve never put my hands on you like this. I am so ashamed and embarrassed."
The letter went on to say, "Please don’t think of me as a monster."
The victim told police she believed she was 12 or 13 when the inappropriate touching started.
Bola told police they would find inappropriate photos of the girl on his phone.
According to IMPD, their department learned of the arrest on Wednesday.
Bola's equipment was collected and he no longer has police powers.
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey suspended Bola from the department on Wednesday and and recommended to the IMPD Merit Board that he be terminated.
"These allegations against the officer are disturbing and entirely unacceptable,” said Chief Chris Bailey. “Children must be able to trust that those in positions of authority will protect them at all times. We demand the highest standards of conduct from our officers, both on and off duty. These allegations represent a severe breach of trust the community places in law enforcement. Our thoughts are with the victim and their family. Ensuring the safety of our community, especially our most vulnerable members, is and will remain our highest priority."
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett released the following statement:
I was appalled to learn that an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was arrested today for crimes involving a child. Chief Bailey’s swift action to suspend this particular officer and recommend him for termination to the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board sends a clear message that IMPD does not and will not tolerate behavior such as this. My thoughts are with the victim and their family.
Bola's arrest comes within two weeks of another IMPD officer, Javed Richards, was charged with several counts of child exploitation and one count of possession of child pornography.
Bola is due in court at 1 p.m. on Thursday in Hendricks County.
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