Topline: The man also falsely claimed to be out of state during his virtual court appearance, but was found at his home, leading to his arrest.
Published: January 29, 2025 9:00 am ET
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Jeffrey Lynn Bell Jr. (via Indiana State Police)
SALEM, IN – Police say an Indiana man was caught faking his own death in an attempt to avoid child support payments.
According to an Indiana State Police news release, on April of 2024, an administrator with the Washington County Child Support told police she received emails stating Jeffrey Lynn Bell Jr. had passed away. The emails related that due to Bell’s death, a large amount of child support owed by Bell would go unpaid.
Police were also informed that Bell was allegedly still living and staying at a residence in northern Washington County with his girlfriend.
Soon after, police responded to the possible residence and encountered a man who was eventually identified as Jeffrey Bell Jr., despite “initial claims to the contrary.”
As a result of this investigation, the Washington County Prosecutor charged Bell with False Informing and provided an initial court date.
On Thursday, January 23, Bell appeared in the Washington County Circuit Court via a virtual online meeting regarding the False Informing charges. Bell made his court appearance virtually instead of an in-person meeting due to allegedly being out of the state. However, during the online court proceedings, officials came to believe Bell was still in Indiana and attending the virtual meeting from the same Washington County residence where Detective Baker had initially contacted Bell.
Washington County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the residence while the virtual meeting was ongoing. Information gained at the house after the officer’s arrival confirmed Bell was inside the residence and not out of state, prompting presiding Judge Larry Medlock to order Bell taken into custody and transported immediately to his courtroom.
As a result of his actions, Bell is currently charged with three counts of Failing to Appear, one count of False Informing, and one count of Contempt of Court.
Bell was incarcerated in the Washington County Jail and is being held on a $100,000 bond for the False Informing charge and without bond for two of the Failure to Appear charges and the Contempt charge.
He is held on a $500 bond for one of the Failure to Appear charges.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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FAKE DEATH, REAL TROUBLE: Indiana Man Caught Faking His Own Death in Bid to Avoid Child Support
The man also falsely claimed to be out of state during his virtual court appearance, but was found at his home, leading to his arrest.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 29, 2025 9:00 am ET
Jeffrey Lynn Bell Jr. (via Indiana State Police)
SALEM, IN – Police say an Indiana man was caught faking his own death in an attempt to avoid child support payments.
According to an Indiana State Police news release, on April of 2024, an administrator with the Washington County Child Support told police she received emails stating Jeffrey Lynn Bell Jr. had passed away. The emails related that due to Bell’s death, a large amount of child support owed by Bell would go unpaid.
Police were also informed that Bell was allegedly still living and staying at a residence in northern Washington County with his girlfriend.
Soon after, police responded to the possible residence and encountered a man who was eventually identified as Jeffrey Bell Jr., despite “initial claims to the contrary.”
As a result of this investigation, the Washington County Prosecutor charged Bell with False Informing and provided an initial court date.
On Thursday, January 23, Bell appeared in the Washington County Circuit Court via a virtual online meeting regarding the False Informing charges. Bell made his court appearance virtually instead of an in-person meeting due to allegedly being out of the state. However, during the online court proceedings, officials came to believe Bell was still in Indiana and attending the virtual meeting from the same Washington County residence where Detective Baker had initially contacted Bell.
Washington County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the residence while the virtual meeting was ongoing. Information gained at the house after the officer’s arrival confirmed Bell was inside the residence and not out of state, prompting presiding Judge Larry Medlock to order Bell taken into custody and transported immediately to his courtroom.
As a result of his actions, Bell is currently charged with three counts of Failing to Appear, one count of False Informing, and one count of Contempt of Court.
Bell was incarcerated in the Washington County Jail and is being held on a $100,000 bond for the False Informing charge and without bond for two of the Failure to Appear charges and the Contempt charge.
He is held on a $500 bond for one of the Failure to Appear charges.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
FAKE DEATH, REAL TROUBLE: Indiana Man Caught Faking His Own Death in Bid to Avoid Child Support
The man also falsely claimed to be out of state during his virtual court appearance, but was found at his home, leading to his arrest.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 29, 2025 9:00 am ET
Jeffrey Lynn Bell Jr. (via Indiana State Police)
SALEM, IN – Police say an Indiana man was caught faking his own death in an attempt to avoid child support payments.
According to an Indiana State Police news release, on April of 2024, an administrator with the Washington County Child Support told police she received emails stating Jeffrey Lynn Bell Jr. had passed away. The emails related that due to Bell’s death, a large amount of child support owed by Bell would go unpaid.
Police were also informed that Bell was allegedly still living and staying at a residence in northern Washington County with his girlfriend.
Soon after, police responded to the possible residence and encountered a man who was eventually identified as Jeffrey Bell Jr., despite “initial claims to the contrary.”
As a result of this investigation, the Washington County Prosecutor charged Bell with False Informing and provided an initial court date.
On Thursday, January 23, Bell appeared in the Washington County Circuit Court via a virtual online meeting regarding the False Informing charges. Bell made his court appearance virtually instead of an in-person meeting due to allegedly being out of the state. However, during the online court proceedings, officials came to believe Bell was still in Indiana and attending the virtual meeting from the same Washington County residence where Detective Baker had initially contacted Bell.
Washington County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the residence while the virtual meeting was ongoing. Information gained at the house after the officer’s arrival confirmed Bell was inside the residence and not out of state, prompting presiding Judge Larry Medlock to order Bell taken into custody and transported immediately to his courtroom.
As a result of his actions, Bell is currently charged with three counts of Failing to Appear, one count of False Informing, and one count of Contempt of Court.
Bell was incarcerated in the Washington County Jail and is being held on a $100,000 bond for the False Informing charge and without bond for two of the Failure to Appear charges and the Contempt charge.
He is held on a $500 bond for one of the Failure to Appear charges.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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