Caleb Joseph VanOverloop, 23, of Cedar Lake, has been charged in Lake County with three counts of child molesting following an investigation involving multiple child victims.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed January 20, 2026, investigators were assigned to examine reported child molesting incidents that allegedly occurred in Lake County between November 1, 2024, and January 18, 2026.
Court documents state officers were dispatched to a residence in Lowell on January 18, 2026, regarding a child molesting complaint. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the child’s father, who said his one-year-old son had been molested by his brother, Caleb VanOverloop. The affidavit notes that VanOverloop frequently spent time at the Lowell residence helping with childcare and also spent time with family members, including the child, at a residence in Cedar Lake.
The affidavit further states that the child’s father reported VanOverloop had confessed to a family member the evening before law enforcement was contacted.
Court records indicate that during a family meeting at VanOverloop’s Cedar Lake residence, he returned home from work, became emotional, and stated he “can’t stop” and “needs help.” Family members said VanOverloop cried while disclosing inappropriate conduct involving children.
According to the affidavit, VanOverloop admitted that while in high school, he committed sexually inappropriate acts involving multiple juvenile relatives, noting that some acts were consensual and some were not. He acknowledged that some incidents occurred out of state and further admitted to molesting one of his sisters.
Court documents state VanOverloop told investigators that the behavior began in eighth grade after exposure to pornography by a friend. He admitted he “cannot control himself” and that this conduct continued into his teenage years.