Runaway 12-year-old found in man's home

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A man was arrested Thursday after he kept a runaway 12-year-old girl in his apartment.

Pete Kostarides, 59, of Indianapolis, was arrested for criminal confinement, possession of paraphernalia, resisting law enforcement and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The girl’s mother found her daughter walking with Kostarides in a cornfield. According to the mother the 12-year-old ran away from home a second time after being found.

“People pointed me in different directions,” said the mother who wishes to remain anonymous. This time the mother found Kostarides at his apartment where police later found her daughter inside his unit.
 
Inside Kostarides unit police found a metal box containing two crack pipes. Investigators also found lubricants and two unopened boxes of condoms.

"That is part of the case I've been advised not to go into the details," said Kostarides. " It will all come out in the discovery."

Kostarides agreed to a one on one interview inside the Marion County Jail. The 59-year-old admits the 12-year-old stayed the night in his apartment a couple of times.

During the interview he expressed his innocence and added he only wanted to have a Godfather/Goddaughter relationship with the girl. He also stressed he thought she was 16 years old.

"She was free to go, whenever she had her shoes on or they were right next door to the couch," said Kostarides.

A judge set Kostarides bond at $30,000.

Noticeable cuts and bruises were on Kostarides forehead arms and legs. He accuses the police of being too rough and causing those injuries during his arrest.

"The police officers placed me on the ground and they kicked me while I was handcuffed," said Kostarides