Sentencing continuance requested

GREENCASTLE -- An emergency motion for the continuance of a sentencing hearing for a former local youth softball coach was filed Tuesday in Putnam County Circuit Court.

The motion on behalf of Elizabeth Anne Rossok was filed by her attorney, Todd Sallee of Indianapolis. Rossok, who has pled guilty to Class D felony sexual misconduct with a minor and Class A misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor, was set to be sentenced on Thursday.

Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter said he didn't know why the motion had been filed.

Charges were filed against Rossok after it came to light that she had a romantic relationship with a teenage girl she had coached in a softball league for children age 14 and younger.

An investigation into Rossok's activities with the girl was launced on Sept. 24 by representatives of the Putnam County Department of Child Services.

The victim told police she and Rossok began having a romantic relationship a couple of months after they met in 2009.

The relationship started as "kissing and making out," the victim said, and eventually turned sexual in nature. Most of the encounters between Rossok and the victim, the victim said, took place at Rossok's apartment in Greencastle.

The last time the two were together was a couple of days before the investigation began. Authorities discovered that Rossok and the victim has been in contact via written notes, cell phone calls, text messages and online social networking sites.

When police seized the cell phones of Rossok and the victim, they found photos of Rossok and the girl in romantic situations, court records said.

Court documents said several people close to the victim, including her parents, had become suspicious of Rossok's relationship with the victim, and that the victim said she and Rossok had discussed the fact that Rossok could be arrested if the true nature of their relationship was uncovered.

The victim's mother had entrusted the care of the victim and the victim's younger siblings to Rossok on several occasions, court records said.

Police also questioned Rossok's roommate Candace Wesley, 21. Wesley said she, the victim and Rossok had watched pornographic videos together.

The victim told police she had consumed alcohol with Rossok and Wesley on several occasions.

The victim said Wesley had purchased the alcohol, and Wesley has been charged with two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Wesley, who has retained the counsel of Greencastle attorney Scott Hoff, has pled not guilty to both charges, and a bench trial in the case is set for May 6.

Rossok turned herself in to authorities after a warrant for her arrest was issued on Nov. 10.

Two days later at her initial hearing, Rossok entered guilty pleas to both charges against her.

Rossok was released from jail that same day after 10 percent of a $20,000 bond was posted.

Rossok, who had also served as a substitute teacher at schools in Putnam County, could be sentenced to up to four years in jail.