Published: November 03, 2009 09:41 pm      

Woman goes to trial for child molesting

One boy claims sexual encounter with Sheila Granger occurred in New Albany hair salon

The case of a Henryville woman charged with having sex with two 12-year-old boys will go to trial today.

Sheila K. Granger, 33, reportedly knew the boys from church, and her husband coached them in a youth football league. The charges, eight counts of child molesting and one count of child solicitation, date from August 2007 through August 2008.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, Granger purchased numerous gifts for one of the boys and took him roller skating, to dances and to games at school. Both boys said she performed oral sex and had intercourse with them.

Many of the incidents allegedly occurred at Granger’s home on the 200 block of Robyn Avenue, but one of the boys claims one of the encounters took place in the back of the hair salon in New Albany where Granger worked.

Granger and her husband were involved in the community, with Granger attending school board meetings and school athletic events. She also sometimes volunteered with the youth program at Safe Harbor Christian Church, according to church officials.

Clark County Deputy Prosecutor Brittany Blau said Tuesday that she did not anticipate any plea agreement would be reached and that she expected the trial will go forward as scheduled. Granger’s attorney, Charles Hectus, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Jury selection is expected to begin at 9:30 a.m. today with opening arguments to follow. Granger faces 106 to 277 years in prison if convicted on all charges.