20-Year-Old Cold Case Solved: Indiana Police Arrest Suspect in Murder of Boy and Stepmother

After 20 years, Indiana police arrest suspect in the 2006 murder of a boy and his stepmom. New reward led to breakthrough.

Editorial Desk

October 3, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Franklin, Indiana — A 20-year-old cold case has finally reached a conclusion as Indiana authorities arrested a suspect in the 2006 murders of a 10-year-old boy and his stepmother.

Michael Jerome James, 35, has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly killing Blake Dickus and Chynna Dickus, according to the Franklin Police Department. The case remained unsolved for two decades despite public appeals and reward offers.

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Police said that forensic science and relentless investigation led to the arrest. A grand jury reviewed the evidence for three weeks before issuing the indictment. The case, which first came to light in 2006, has now taken a critical turn with the suspect in custody.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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