Retired K-9’s Alert at Local Daycare Uncovers Hidden Chamber, Sparks Major Investigation
CRESTFIELD, Ind. – A routine noise complaint at a local daycare, investigated by a retired police K-9, led to the discovery of a concealed underground chamber and a multi-state investigation that has shaken this small community.
The incident began on the morning of September 27, when Officer James Nolan and his retired K-9 partner, Diesel, responded to Little Leaf Daycare following a report of unusual sounds. Diesel, a decorated former military working dog, alerted officers to a specific area in a nap room, where a hastily concealed trapdoor was located beneath a rug.
Upon gaining access, investigators discovered a hidden chamber containing evidence suggesting the space had been used to hold a child. Later that day, a four-year-old girl, Harper Lynn Dube, who had been reported missing from a neighboring county six days prior, was found alive in an adjacent crawlspace and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and recovery.
“The swift and precise alert from K-9 Diesel was critical in this recovery,” said Police Chief Evelyn Miller in a press conference. “His actions directly led to locating the victim and initiating a larger investigation.”
The discovery prompted an immediate closure of the daycare and a full-scale forensic excavation of the property. The investigation quickly expanded to include an abandoned church adjacent to the daycare, which was connected via a hand-dug tunnel. Within the church, federal agents uncovered a trove of evidence, including photographs and records linked to other missing children cases.
The daycare’s director, Marlene Curran, and her husband, Elijah Ross, the former pastor of the adjacent church, were taken into custody. They face a range of charges including kidnapping, false imprisonment, and child endangerment. The investigation, now led by a multi-agency task force including the FBI, is ongoing.
“The dedication and instinct shown by Officer Nolan and K-9 Diesel prevented an unspeakable tragedy,” stated FBI Special Agent-in-Charge David Reyes. “This is a stark reminder of the vital role our first responders and K-9 units play in public safety.”
K-9 Diesel, who served alongside Officer Nolan in the Marines before retiring to a community role, has been hailed as a local hero. The case has prompted statewide reviews of daycare licensing and oversight procedures.
Officer Nolan declined to comment on the specifics of the ongoing case but praised his partner. “Diesel’s instincts never retired. We’re just grateful we were here to listen.”