By DAN ROBINSON
Kenton Times Staff Writer
KENTON — Bond for Charles Castle was raised to $1.5 million at his arraignment Tuesday afternoon on charges stemming from the kidnapping of seven-year-old Trinity Hurt, and his attorney suggested her client would change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity.
The Kenton man is charged with a total of 17 counts involving the kidnapping of Trinity on Nov. 10.
The girl had last been seen the night before she disappeared as she prepared to go to bed. The following morning she was missing from the family home on south Leighton Street in Kenton.
Her disappearance prompted a search of the neighborhood and beyond. A security camera captured an image of a man leading the child from the home and placing her in a vehicle. The enhanced image identified the man as Castle and confirmed the identity of the vehicle.
As BCI and local law enforcement attempted to get information from Castle, a tip was given to Kenton Police Officer Dan Foulk, which led officers to a rural house where they found Trinity in the basement.
Security was tight Tuesday at the Hardin County Courthouse as traffic on the south side of the building was blocked off and Castle was transported to the court hearing from the Multi-County Jail in Marion wearing a green bulletproof vest.
Hardin County Sheriff Keith Everhart said no threats against Castle had been received by his office. The added additional security was “just an overabundance of precaution.”
Castle, through his attorney, Elizabeth Smith, pleaded not guilty in the Hardin County Common Pleas Court to seven counts of kidnapping, three charges of tampering with evidence, one count each of rape, attempted aggravated murder, burglary, breaking and entering, endangering children, possession of criminal tools and felonious assault.
Smith asked the court for the right to later change the plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, which she indicated would be filed soon after the hearing.
Bond for Castle had been set at $750,000 when he was in municipal court and Prosecutor Brad Bailey asked the bond be increased to $1 million.
But Judge Scott Barrett established bond at $1.5 million with terms imposed on the defendant should he raise the funds to be released from custody. But both Barrett and Castle thought that was unlikely.
“I am assuming you won’t make bond,” said the judge.
“No,” agreed Castle.
Barrett reminded the defendant he was to have no contact whatsoever with the girl involved, her family or her home either in person or by any other method of communication.
Castle waived his right to a speedy trial and the court proceedings will be established following the receipt of a report, Barrett said.