WAKARUSA, Ind. -- Court documents from Elkhart County reveal a 46-year-old Wakarusa man has been charged with several charges of Felony Child Molesting following an investigation in November 2025.

The suspect, Kenneth Kniesly, has been charged with two counts of Child Molesting where def. is at least 21 years of age, a Level 1 Felony, five counts of Child Molesting, a Level 4 Felony, and three counts of Vicarious Sexual Gratification, a Level 5 Felony.

His initial hearing was Tuesday. No further court dates have been announced.

The following contains information some may find disturbing.

The Wakarusa Police Department reports officers responded to a child molesting report on Nov. 23, 2025, where a mother alleged her two teen children had been sexually abused by their neighbor, Kniesly.

The two victims told police this occurred from early July until September of 2025.

The victims informed police Kniesly had invited them over to his home to help make signs for a local fair.

That's when the victims say Kniesly began touching himself in front of them and encouraged them to do the same.

The victims stated they felt pressured to comply and that this became a regular occurrence. The victims stated this later led to Kniesly making one of them touch him as well as further sexual abuse.

Both victims were examined during a sexual assault nurse examination at a local medical center.

Kniesly was asked to come to the WPD for an interview on Dec. 2, 2025, during which he was read his Miranda Rights, which he waived and agreed to speak with police.

Kniesly told investigators he'd began spending time with the victims during the summer of 2025 due to them being neighbors.

He informed police he and the victims would "horseplay" at his residence with no inappropriate touching.

Documents go on to state Kniesly told investigators he and the victims would touch themselves together on the couch or his bed.

Kniesly told police he was embarrassed for his behavior and apologized for the abuse.

Kniesly went on to detail the full extent of the abuse to investigators, saying it happened at least six times. He added he would put pornography while they touched themselves.