Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Mentone man sentenced to 120 years in prison for child molesting attempted suicide this morning in a holding cell at the Kosciusko County Jail.
Anthony J. DeMarco, 26, of 205 S. Oak St., Mentone, was found sitting on a toilet bleeding from both wrists in a holding cell in the main booking area of the Kosciusko County Jail this morning. Demarco was awaiting his transport to the Indiana Department of Corrections facility in Plainfield today.
According to Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, around 7:05 a.m., jail staff discovered DeMarco's suicide attempt. DeMarco reportedly used an unknown sharp object to cut himself. After using the object, DeMarco allegedly flushed it down the toilet.
Although the cell was under constant video surveillance, there is a shaded area over the toilet on the monitor to provide privacy to inmates. DeMarco reportedly went to the toilet area of the cell to make his attempt at suicide.
A heavily-guarded DeMarco was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital where he was treated and released. Upon his release, he was returned to the Kosciusko County Jail then transported to Plainfield Department of Corrections.
DeMarco was found guilty of child molesting after a three-day trial in front of a 12-person jury in January. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for each of four counts of Class A felony child molesting for a total sentence of 120 years.
DeMarco performed various sex acts on a 12-year-old boy between 2002 and 2004 while DeMarco lived at the boy's family home. DeMarco slept in the boy's room and the two often shared a bed.
DeMarco is set to stand trial for another Class A felony child molesting charge and three Class C felony child molesting charges later this year. A pre-trial hearing is May 31.
Police established probable cause for DeMarco's arrest in March 2005 after interviewing children who implicated him for allegedly molesting them. DeMarco allegedly befriended parents, then found ways to be alone with their children, usually young boys.
DeMarco was suspended from his part-time job at the Kosciusko Community YMCA March 9 after allegations of inappropriate conduct surfaced. The YMCA then issued a letter to its members and released a statement regarding the incident.
