Man accused of child molestation with young victim

UPDATE: On December 12, 2023 Bradford entered a plea agreement, and was sentenced to 9 years but was credited with 298 days served. He will finish the remainder of his sentence on probation.

ORIGINAL STORY:

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - A man was charged with Child Molestation after allegedly having sex with a minor victim in April of 2022, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Steven Scott Bradford, 20, was arrested in February on one count of child molesting.

On April 11, 2022, a victim reported that she was sexually assaulted by Bradford earlier that morning at a residence in South Bend.

While officers were taking the report, law enforcement found Bradford in the area and brought him in for questioning.

During an interview with detectives from the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit, Bradford denied any sexual contact with the victim and said his DNA would not be found on the victim, reports said.

The victim was interviewed and told law enforcement she was visiting a friend at the apartment at the time Bradford was also at the apartment.

At one point, her friend left the apartment and the victim and Bradford were alone.

While alone, the victim said Bradford had sex with her, according to reports.

A sexual assault evidence collection kit was completed on the victim and on February 8, 2023, results found Bradford's DNA on the evidence, reports said.

On February 17, Bradford was interviewed again and admitted to having sex with the victim inside the apartment in April of 2022.

Bradford allegedly admitted to knowing the victim was a minor at the time.