A man with a history of child molestation was arrested just before his wedding ceremony. Bradley D. Armstrong, aged 66, was taken into custody by police officers before exchanging vows. Authorities claim that Armstrong, a registered sexual predator, failed to disclose this crucial information on his marriage license application, which is considered a serious offense in Indiana. Following his arrest, concerns arose regarding his intended marriage to a 22-year-old woman with disabilities. The county clerk, Heather Stevens, intervened upon discovering that the bride, who is legally deemed incompetent, was pregnant and had various medical conditions such as autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD, and depression.
Stevens expressed confidence in the court’s ability to make the right decision, stating that the situation raised multiple concerns beyond Armstrong’s legal violations. In a separate ruling, the court had previously declared the woman as legally incompetent in 2021, appointing her parents as her guardians. Although it is unclear how the parents feel about the relationship, Stevens emphasized that the court holds the ultimate authority in such matters and can override parental decisions if necessary. As of now, Armstrong and the 22-year-old will not be issued a marriage license by Stevens’ office, in accordance with state laws that prohibit marriage licenses for individuals legally declared incompetent.
Armstrong was released on a $750 cash bond the day after the scheduled wedding date of March 17th.