Police: Disabled woman abused for 13 years

By Rick Yencer / Muncie Star Press

May 8, 2008

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080508/NEWS02/805080521

Muncie — A Muncie couple stand accused of sexually abusing a mentally challenged woman in their care over a 13-year period that began when the alleged victim was in her early teens.

Sgt. Linda Cook, who heads the Muncie Police Department’s sex crimes unit, called it the “most bizarre case” of sexual misconduct she had seen.

Patricia Ann Tackett, 47, 124 1/2 N. Hodson St., was arrested this week on a preliminary charge of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Her husband, Duane Ray Tackett, 48, was taken into custody Wednesday, preliminarily charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, criminal deviate conduct and child solicitation. They were being held without bond in the Delaware County jail late Wednesday.

Cook said Patricia Tackett “was pretty much willing to give up (the alleged victim) to her husband,” and also participated in the sex acts.

The break in the Tackett case came recently after the alleged victim, now 27, told an aunt about how Duane Tackett repeatedly had sex with her over the past 13 years.

Cook said Patricia Tackett was interviewed this week, and admitted to allowing her husband to have sex with the alleged victim. Mrs. Tackett also acknowledged participating in the sex crimes, the officer said.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the sex acts involving the Tacketts and the woman took place many times each month for 13 years, continuing until last month.

The alleged sexual abuse first started when the couple lived in Muncie, and continued when they moved to Kentucky for 11 years, according to police reports.

There were several underlying issues involving the abuse, Cook said. Among them was the couple did not want the woman to date other men, she said. Police believe the victim, although 27, has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.

Duane Tackett apparently was in Kentucky when the investigation began, but was persuaded to return to Muncie this week by relatives.