Elkhart man arrested for child molestation

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Shaun Burke

Shaun Burke (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 10, 2008 at 12:50 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 10, 2008 at 12:51 PM EST

ELKHART — Police arrested a 24-year-old Elkhart man for allegedly having an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12-year-old girl.

Police arrested Shaun Burke Friday on preliminary charges of child molestation.

A month-long investigation revealed Burke was introduced to the victim by his neighbor, the girl’s friend, approximately four months before his arrest.

The case is being forwarded to the Elkhart County prosecutor’s office.

Police ask anyone with information related to the case to call Det. Conway (574) 533-8644.

Monday, Oct 13 at 3:16 PM Grit wrote ...

I suppose if he was convinced that she was older..... What kind of rot is that! How dumb is he that he couldn't tell she was a child? That's what all perverts say and all morons jump right onto the idiot bandwagon to agree with it. My 12yr old looks mature for her age, so do some of her friends, but only an idiot would be fooled after talking for a few minutes. And as rotten as most parents these days seem to be at protecting their kids, that is NO EXCUSE. There is no excuse.

Monday, Oct 13 at 1:57 PM mother of the 10 year old wrote ...

DON'T MISS UNDERSTAND ME!!!! I'm not saying that this guy shouldn't have known better and that he should get what he has coming to him. I'm simply saying, YOU (WE) need to watch our children. WE are responible for them no one else is. So when they say there going to Candies house, surprise them with an on-site visit to make sure thats where they are. And as far as those type of shows go. I let her watch them and we talk about it. Girls need to understand its HARD having children so early.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:53 AM Just me wrote ...

Cornfusion for president!

Monday, Oct 13 at 9:04 AM bee wrote ...

anonymous:im glad you tried everything you could to help her when she was 12.sounds like she learned it from her mother.maybe you should have KNOCKED some sense into her.wonder how she raises her kids now?i hope she treats them better than her own mother did her.to cornfusion:and i thought it was because you lived in the state of indiana.theres more than corn in indiana..but hey its your name you can write it however you like.how about cornfusious? boy that would be a good one.

Monday, Oct 13 at 9:00 AM Agree.... wrote ...

With Mother of 10 year old. Have you ever seen one of those horrible morning talk shows with young girls, 13, 14 and 15, talking sbout how they want to have babies? (no, I don't watch them, really..;). With the crap they see on TV, well, it's just sad. Anyway, what he seems to have done, there is absolutely NO excuse for, no matter how old she might have looked, or maybe told him. Also agree with kandy. He needs to be locked up for life, never allowed out. Ever.

Monday, Oct 13 at 8:09 AM watch around you! wrote ...

I know someone who's daughter is 12 and she is letting her daughter having a boyfriend already. He and her hang on eachother whenever me and my family have been with the group.I can't beleive it.what kinda of message does this send to the other girls in the group.I talked openly with my daughter about this and I'm letting her know that this isn't something that cool or smart!I think parents in to be smarter then that.If this girl ends up with a baby, I'd be the first to say "you let it happen"

Monday, Oct 13 at 8:03 AM mother of a 10 old wrote ...

also, its not easy raising children who are watching Brittan, Jamie Lynn and other out there having children at an early age. I don't mean to blame these super stars, but when they're first in stardom, you think the music is ok, then all the sudden they having childen. And the innocence is gone and your daughter is hooked. Its your responsibility to pull your daughter back and explain why this isn't smart. And how much you love and want for them. I beleive in being honest of upfront with her

Monday, Oct 13 at 7:56 AM Mother of a 10 year old. wrote ...

My daughter has friends that age range from 10 to 12. It amazes me how much older these girls look. I make sure that my daughter doesn't leave the house looking like she 15 16 or 18. Her and her friends like to play with my make-up and when they get done they really look older. It would be hard for someone to really know their age. I'm not saying what he did is right. But I also know right now, with tv shows being the way they it is today girl's fantasy of love and romance.

Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:07 PM Jen wrote ...

There seems to be a reason that people are considered "adults" at a certain age. Because until then, their minds aren't developed enough to make reputable decisions. It hurts me to see this going on and that this man took advantage of a young child. It makes me sick and I think he should be locked up for a long long time

Sunday, Oct 12 at 2:15 PM coRnfusion wrote ...

Yes Frank I incorporate the "R" to symbolize 'righteousness', 'redeeming values', respect,'responsibility' 'reconsider','recycle', 'rejuvenate', Readers Digest', 'renege', 'repeat','repeat', 'restraint', 'real nice guy', yes Frank I am aware, credibility? If I Dropped the "R" would you vote for me to be our president? I stand for somethings, the National Anthem, Justice, and to pee! I could have picked any letter but I chose "R" because there was no doubt in my mind if I had picked "T" I'd be do

Sunday, Oct 12 at 11:19 AM meagan wrote ...

Our daughter gets love and attention at home. Sometimes it doesn't matter what you give them at home. You can tell them they are perfect and pretty and that you love them, but they always want to hear it from someone else ( or so it seems to me). I never said this was okay. If I upset anyone I am sorry but I fell this should be looked at from both sides.

Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:23 AM Roger wrote ...

Something to ponder...this happened to a family member, but he was FALSEY accused by a younger child to avoid being in trouble with his parents. This could be the case as well..maybe not.

Sunday, Oct 12 at 2:52 AM Frank wrote ...

Does the person know that "confusion" doesn't have an "R" in it? Just saying--it doesn't help the credibility.

Sunday, Oct 12 at 1:52 AM Anonymous wrote ...

to 8:52 AM bee wrote continued...Even taking custody of her only lasted so long until her mother took her back. At that time there was so much going on and so much they hid from us because they knew we would take her again. We didn't just sit back and watch this happen believe me. Now the once 12yr old is 21 and has 3 kids and she is even worse then she was at 12. I just hope and pray her kids don't turn out the way she did. I do not blame the men because they were completely clueless of her age

Sunday, Oct 12 at 1:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...

to 8:52 AM bee wrote...as for you saying why didn't I do something when my 12 yr old cousin was doing this. Oh believe you me both myself and my mother did every thing we could possibly thing of, from going to the police to the cps. The problem with that is when her own mother denied everything that was going on to the cops and cps there was not much more I could do. We tried to protect her in every way we could. My mother even obtained custody of her to get her away from the situation.

Sunday, Oct 12 at 12:21 AM Cornfusion wrote ...

Elkhart res, you don't blame him? You blame the parents? You don't blame HIM? You don't blame him. I cannot grasp that. Are you saying he did nothing wrong? Is he blameless in your eyes? If I rob a gas station is it their fault for keeping money in the register and not expecting me to come in? It's not my fault they made it possible for me to rob them. Are you disappointed in the parents, is THAT what you're trying to say? I can accept that, but to blame them over him is ludicrous. You're nuts!

Saturday, Oct 11 at 8:38 PM elkhart res wrote ...

honestly i don't blame him i blame the parents of the 12yr old girl that weren't there for their daughter.

Saturday, Oct 11 at 1:26 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The mind and the body are almost never the same age.

Saturday, Oct 11 at 12:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Sick! Sick! Sick!

Saturday, Oct 11 at 10:57 AM scared by megan wrote ...

I am very concerned by Megan's comments. It does not matter how aggressive a twelve year old is. He is the adult. There are a lot of hurt young girls who seek love in all the wrong places. It seems to me that your daughter could use some counseling. It does not matter how old she looks, or if she was agressive towards him, she is a child. WAKE UP. Take care of your child, before it is to late. These girls just need love and attention at home. Please take care of our little girls.

Saturday, Oct 11 at 9:24 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I have a 13 year old daughter, and if anyone male or female even looks at her in a sexual way, I'll punch their eyes back into their heads! I don't want some pervert like this ruining my daughter's life. Hopefully, my kid has enough common sense and I have educated her enough to never let anyone touch her while she is young. This creep took advantage of an impressionable CHILD, and should be locked up for a long time.

Saturday, Oct 11 at 8:52 AM bee wrote ...

hey 2:06 anonymous:if you knew your 12yr.old niece was doing this with a much older MAN,why didnt you bash his head in,and take measures to make sure she didnt do this again?at 12,i dont care how much older they look,the person doing this should be able to tell they arent older.they are just hitting puberty and arent that developed.if they are doing this at 12 they arent being watched at home either.you cant just let your children run.and to LYNN,you hit it right on the nose.

Saturday, Oct 11 at 7:06 AM Look! wrote ...

Is that a hickie on his neck??

Friday, Oct 10 at 11:43 PM Jen wrote ...

You make me sick. I can't believe I was ever friends with you. You deserve to be locked up for good

Friday, Oct 10 at 11:33 PM Meagan wrote ...

I do believe that if he did this he should be punished violently....but some girls at that age are just as much to blame...i am a mother to a teenage girl who is very aggressive towards the opposite sex(giving her dad a lot of gray hair)...she has been sexually active since she was 12(she is thankfully a very open and honest child)...just realize sometimes they are not all innocent girls being taking advantage of..again i do believe what he did was wrong and he should be punished if he is guilty

Friday, Oct 10 at 10:28 PM Citizen wrote ...

this man needs to be in prison for a long time because this girl is probably scarred for life

Friday, Oct 10 at 10:20 PM nate wrote ...

what nobody seems to realize is, whether she looked 12 or looked 22, he was a married man with three children. he cheated on his family. that's disgusting enough.

Friday, Oct 10 at 9:25 PM Steve wrote ...

I have a 12 year old daughter. 1) I would never leave my child alone with a 24 yr old man or anyone else I just met for that matter. 2) This guy would never make it to trial of it were my daughter he abused.

Friday, Oct 10 at 9:08 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Some of you are saying that if a pervert asks a child how old they are it's okay to pursue a physical relationship as long as the kid didn't answer by HOLDING HIS FINGERS UP!? Anyone that can't tell a 12 year old is too young to be around without knowing the actual age should refrain from ALL sexual contact EVEN with themselves! If you cannot distinguish the traits of a child you better quit answering your door because the next little Girl Scout selling cookies could end up selling you a car!

Friday, Oct 10 at 7:53 PM Mike wrote ...

If this guy did this he should be punished but most of you have convicted him before his trial. Things might be as they seem and they might not. I must say Lynn is a nut case. Her 11 year old is NEVER EVER left alone with any male. She needs help.

Friday, Oct 10 at 7:51 PM Frank wrote ...

Remember that the age of consent in Indiana is 16. 24 and 16 is still creepy, but it's legally allowed. There are plenty of 12-year olds that could pass for 16, even outside the Chinese olympic gymnastics team.

Friday, Oct 10 at 7:27 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Lyn, good to see you have a plan. Keep your daughter away from any men when she is not being supervised by you. You know, they have a few openings on the Penn Softball team, you might want to think about it; OR, you might want to think about being careful about ANY adult your child will be around when you are not there. That goes for parents of friends, bus drivers, clergy, doctors, neighbors...get the picture? Walk of life, sex of person, color of skin or relation to family makes no difference!

Friday, Oct 10 at 4:49 PM boomer954 wrote ...

hey shaun if you're convicted you'll have plenty of friend big hairy friends cause they love pretty boys like you (prevert!!!!)

Friday, Oct 10 at 4:08 PM Tyler wrote ...

Have fun in jail... bud I understand they love people like you there...

Friday, Oct 10 at 3:37 PM Just a Mom wrote ...

Innocent until proven guilty?Yes,I think that is the way it's "supposed" to be.IF this fella did what they say and he KNEW this girl to be 12,then he needs to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.This girl is not mature enough to handle this type of relationship regardless.As for punishment,let's wait until the verdict.I wonder,too,where the parents,brothers,sisters,aunts,uncles and all family members were during these "ongoing" sexual relationships were going on.WATCH YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!

Friday, Oct 10 at 3:27 PM Mica wrote ...

Why was a 12 year allowed to be alone with a man at of this age? Where were the parents?

Friday, Oct 10 at 2:26 PM Sandra wrote ...

I would like to see what the girl looks like before making any judgments. Did she tell him she was 12 or did she lead him to believe she was older. Some of the 12 year olds could pass for 20 the way they act and dress. Moms, watch your "little girls".

Friday, Oct 10 at 2:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Why did it take them from September 3, when they were notified until today to arrest him?

Friday, Oct 10 at 2:21 PM sick of if wrote ...

Child molesters should be considered LESS than human. Like mad dogs, they should be destroyed! They never stop and just create more heartache and in some cases, another molester!

Friday, Oct 10 at 2:06 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The funny thing here is...now i'm not taking anyones side but everyone is quick to judge this man for something that happened between him and this girl..the paper does not say he knew she was 12yr old or not. I have a neice who at 12yr old could pass for a 19-20 year old and she told people she was older. She was having sex with a much older man, him thinking she was of age. We need to look at the whole case and not just point the finger at this guy...look at the girls to...how old did he think

Friday, Oct 10 at 2:04 PM Lynn wrote ...

My child is 11 and she is NEVER left unsupervised with ANY male - EVER. Where are the parents of this child? How was a child this age ever given enough freedom to spend any time alone with this man? Folks - wake up - if you don't mind your kids, the pervs will find them and will have their way.

Friday, Oct 10 at 1:32 PM Linda wrote ...

This kind of news if that is what you want to call it is getting old and boring.

Friday, Oct 10 at 1:17 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Shaun, you need help! But so do they children you harm and since there's only so much help to go around you're screwed! A TWELVE YEAR OLD? ONGOING? You know next year she wouldn't be able to eat free at Holiday Inns anymore so you'd probably be looking for someone else before too long anyway. You don't seem to be a bad looking kid, in fact you might want to get used to answering to "Pretty Boy". Ongoing, you should be sentenced to 10 times the length of time this has been ongoing. No time off!

Friday, Oct 10 at 1:15 PM Lori wrote ...

We sure live in a sick world. Tell me this guy couldn't of found some one at least over 18 to date. He should rot in prison for taking this childs childhood away.

Friday, Oct 10 at 1:13 PM kandy white wrote ...

keep him locked up for life, he does not need to be free to do this again!!!

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