Man charged in Kosciusko County with alleged child solicitation, kidnapping
Posted: Oct 14, 2026 2:18 PM EDT
Kosciusko County Jail KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. -- A man faces two felony charges in Kosciusko involving crimes against a child.
27-year-old Austin Birtel is charged with Child Solicitation for sexual intercourse and Kidnapping, both felonies.
Court documents show Birtel allegedly picked up the victim, who had run away from home, and took them to a hotel in Kalamazoo.
Officials say messages between the two obtained by investigators reinforce the allegations.
Birtel is due in court October 15.
