Gerald P. VanPatten v. State of Indiana

── Gerald P. VanPatten v. State of Indiana ── Case No.: 25A-PC-00581 Court: Indiana Court of Appeals Date: February 6, 2026 Author: Judge Dana Kenworthy County of Origin: Allen Category: Criminal Decision: Affirmed Judge Tavitas and Judge Bailey concur The facts of this case were set forth by the Supreme Court in VanPatten’s direct appeal: Gerald VanPatten is the biological father of S.D. During the summer of 2009, S.D.’s close friend, E.R., would often spend the night at S.D.’s house. The two girls, then around six years old, would sleep in the same bed. One morning in August of that summer, after a similar sleep-over, E.R. and S.D. told S.D.’s mother that VanPatten had molested them. E.R.