This was originally posted by the Coalition to Free Vernon T. Bateman. You can watch their press conference, hosted by the Indianapolis Liberation Center, here or by scrolling below the action alert.
Please call Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Martha M. McDermott and Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears and demand the immediate dismissal of case number 49C01-2407-JP-006771, Petition to Establish Paternity of Paternity of Promise N. Scales and Provide Support.
Sample script
Hello, my name is ___________ and I am calling to urge the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to immediately withdraw the paternity case against Vernon T. Bateman. At the time of conception and birth, Mr. Bateman was a ward of the state and Dorothy N. Scales was an employee – or subcontractor – of the state. This is outrageous in itself, and it is even more outrageous that our tax dollars are being used to further harass a victim of sexual assault by the IDOC. Thank you for your time.
Who to call
Prosecuting Attorney Martha M. McDermott:
Call: (317) 327-1800 and ask for Martha
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears
Call: (317) 327-3522 and ask for Ryan
Who to email
Susan Boatright: Susan.Boatright@indy.gov
Marion County Prosecutor’s Office: MCPO@indy.gov
Marion Circuit Court: MC01-Paternity@indy.gov
Background information
On June 24, 2024, Vernon T. Bateman received a summons from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office ordering him to appear before Marion County Juvenile Paternity Court on August 19, 2024. The order was to establish the Paternity of Promise N. Scales (case number: 49C01-2407-JP-006771). There was only one glaring, remarkable oversight in the suit filed by Deputy Prosecutor Martha M. McDermott, #18800-49 on behalf of Dorothy N. Scales: Where Vernon T. Bateman was during the times they listed for the conception and birth of the child. During this time, Vernon T. Bateman was in solitary confinement, shackled and chained by the Indiana Department of Corrections, and therefore unable to consent to any sexual activity.
Amongst the countless other injustices the state subjected–and continues to subject–Bateman to, this press conference organized by the Coalition to Free Vernon T. Bateman draws out two more. The most immediate is his release from prison in 2023, when the IDOC transferred guardianship to a predatory Parole Officer named Jason M. Cottey. We detail the bizarre text messages Cottey sent to Bateman that tried to lure him too Cottey’s house in violation of Bateman’s parole stipulations.
Those parole stipulations are the final matter addressed. The Coalition to Free Vernon T. Bateman argues these are illegal, citing the 2014 Indiana Supreme Court Decision in “Bleeke v. Lemmon.”
Watch the press conference
Photo Description: Johnny Hall, a volunteer with the Indianapolis Liberation Center, welcomes the Coalition to Free Vernon T. Bateman at the February press conference. Credit: Indianapolis Liberation Center.