A case of child molesting from years ago is finally seeing the wheels of justice turn.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Det. J.D. Ayres placed a Claypool man under arrest at Pike Lake Campground. Paul Eugene Wiard, 81, 4219 S. 450 W., Claypool, is accused of molesting his granddaughter from 2001 to 2007.

According to KCSD Sgt. Chad Hill, the incident was only recently brought to the attention of authorities. The female victim is now an adult and has been working with KCSD detectives for approximately two weeks.

According to the probable cause affidavit obtained from the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s office, Wiard is accused of fondling, licking and kissing the girl’s breasts and rubbing her vagina with his hands. The girl said she was approximately 9 years old when her grandfather allegedly began molesting her in 2001 and that he would do so three to four times a week until about 2007.

Wiard is also accused of having photos of a naked girl and showing those to the victim.

When interviewed by KCSD Det. J.D. Ayres, Wiard admitted to having photos of a naked girl but said he recently destroyed pictures. He also denied molesting his granddaughter.

Wiard was taken into custody without incident. He is charged with child molesting, a class C felony; and sexual misconduct with a minor, a class C felony. His bond has been set at $5,000.