When Barnes found out about the child he was quickly granted 50/50 custody. In an unusual move, the court did not order him to pay the 5 years of back child support.
According to court records, a DNA test shows that Barnes is the father.
The police fail to investigate
John Barnes is the owner of Gumbeaux Digital Branding, a web company in Ponchatoula. His firm has a contract with the local police department. His website showed them as a client, but that information was removed after the story was reported.
According to Abelseth, Barnes has told her repeatedly that he is “connected” and has friends in the justice system.
In 2015, Abelseth discovered that the crime was still within Louisiana’s statute of limitations. So, she filed charges against Barnes for the rape.
In her report, she detailed the assault. And also claimed that Barnes threatened if she ever pressed charges, he would take the child away completely. And that he had been stalking and harassing her.
