Holly’s House, a non-profit child, and adult advocacy center, will attend a brief donation presentation on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at 1:15 pm CST at Christ the King School, 3101 Bayard Park Drive, Evansville, Indiana, 47714, to accept handmade blankets made by 7^th and 8^th Grade Students in support of Holly’s House and the “Think First & Stay Safe” child abuse prevention program.

Holly’s House offers the “Think First & Stay Safe” personal safety and child abuse prevention program at no charge to elementary schools in five counties in Southwest Indiana.  This program utilizes the curriculum developed by Child Lures Prevention and focuses on helping children understand the lures or tricks that are used by people who might want to hurt them.  The program also focuses on bullying, internet and general safety lessons including emphasizing the importance of telling a trusted adult if they feel scared or unsafe.

Since first offering the program in the spring of 2010, over 40,000 elementary school students have been taught how to “Think First & Stay Safe.” As the demand for the program has increased, the “Think First & Stay Safe” staff has grown to include one full-time and three part-time prevention educators.

Holly Edmond, Holly’s House Executive Director, said, “This heartfelt gift shows that students want to support Holly’s House and those we serve. The “Think First & Stay Safe” program utilizes age-appropriate lesson plans to teach safety tools children may use for the rest of their lives. To receive this gift at Christ the King makes it even more meaningful.  It is wonderful to know that students who have been taught the “Think First & Stay Safe” program join Holly’s House in our commitment to preventing child abuse.”

  Christ the King School Blanket Donation

3101 Bayard Park Drive

Evansville, IN 47714

Wednesday, December 19, 2018, 1:15 pm

 

An Evansville man is in custody tonight after threatening a couple with a handgun inside Eastland Mall.

On Friday, December 14, 2018 at approximately 7:30 PM a uniformed Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office deputy was working an off-duty security job at Eastland Mall when shoppers began directing him towards a disturbance. Bystanders told the deputy that a male suspect had threatened a male and female couple with a handgun.

The deputy located and detained the suspect and then removed a loaded Glock 9mm handgun from his waistband. An investigation revealed the suspect, later identified as Mr. Brandon Neal Brucken, had approached his ex-wife and her boyfriend as they exited the Foot Locker store inside the mall. Mr. Brucken struck the boyfriend in the head and then spit in his face. The confrontation culminated in Mr. Brucken producing a handgun and allegedly threatening to kill the couple. Hundreds of bystanders, including children, were in the immediate vicinity of the altercation.

Mr. Brucken was transported to the Sheriff’s Operations Center where he was interviewed by detectives. Mr. Brucken admitted to attacking his ex-wife’s boyfriend and displaying a loaded handgun. Mr. Brucken currently holds a valid Indiana License to Carry a Handgun.

Mr. Brucken was later lodged at the Vanderburgh County Jail and awaits an initial court appearance on Monday.

ARRESTED:

Brandon Neal Brucken (pictured above), 32, of Evansville. Intimidation with a Firearm as a Level 5 Felony (2 counts), Battery by Bodily Waste as a Class A Misdemeanor, Battery as a Class A Misdemeanor, Disorderly Conduct as a Class B Misdemeanor.

Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.