HAMMOND MAN CHARGED IN CHILD EXPLOITATION AND NEGLECT CASE FOLLOWING MULTI-AGENCY INVESTIGATION
A Hammond man is facing a range of serious felony charges following a months long investigation into allegations involving the abuse and endangerment of multiple minors.
According to charging documents, Nicholas S. Farrell, 39, of Hammond, has been charged with child solicitation, sexual battery, neglect of a dependent, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The charges stem from incidents that occurred between September 2024 and April 2025, primarily at Farrell’s residence near Pulaski Park.
Detectives allege that Farrell supplied underage girls, some of whom were friends of his daughters, with alcohol, marijuana, and other drug-related paraphernalia, often during overnight stays at his home. Authorities further allege that Farrell made repeated inappropriate comments and engaged in physical contact with one minor during one such visit.
The investigation was led by the Lake County Police Department. Detectives conducted interviews with multiple law enforcement officers, reviewed forensic interviews from six minor victims, and spoke with two of the minors’ mothers. Their statements were supported by corroborating evidence including text messages, video recordings, and physical evidence recovered during the investigation.
One alleged victim stated in a forensic interview that she and Farrell’s daughter were close friends and often stayed overnight at Farrell’s home. She disclosed that Farrell provided alcohol and marijuana products, and described several incidents in which he made sexual comments and gestures toward her. She also reported an incident during spring break in which she awoke in the same bed as Farrell and experienced unwanted contact.
The investigation revealed that Farrell also allegedly gave minors drug-related items such as vape cartridges, THC edibles, and alcoholic beverages. Multiple victims stated that Farrell instructed them on how to use drug paraphernalia and participated in the activities alongside them. In one case, investigators say a victim fell ill after consuming alcohol and marijuana, and Farrell instructed the girls not to record him on video, fearing consequences.
Authorities also reviewed electronic communications in which Farrell allegedly referred to himself using a nickname and made suggestive remarks to at least one of the minors. Statements provided by the victims’ parents further supported these claims, with one mother reporting that her daughter and others were being given drugs and alcohol during extended stays at Farrell’s home.
Farrell has been charged with the following counts:
• Child Solicitation – Accused of being an adult who solicited a child under 14 years old to engage in fondling or touching.
• Sexual Battery – Accused of compelling a victim to submit to sexual contact by force or the threat of force.
•Neglect of a Dependent (3 counts) – Allegedly placed a dependent in a situation that endangered their health and safety.
•Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (6 counts) – Allegedly involved in criminal conduct that encouraged or enabled minors under the age of 16 to commit unlawful acts.
Farrell was known around Hammond as a coach and now former city employee.
The Hammond Police Department was made aware of serious allegations involving Nick Farrell, who served as head of the City’s Code Enforcement Unit, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr told RNS. Given the nature of the allegations and the potential for a conflict of interest, the Hammond PD immediately requested that the Lake County Sheriff’s Department take the lead on the investigation.
Mr. Farrell was promptly placed on administrative leave and stripped of his city credentials following notification of these allegations, McDermott said.
While Mr. Farrell was on leave, the City received results of a drug screening related to a vehicle accident involving a city vehicle that occurred prior to his leave. Those results came back positive. Based on that violation of city policy, the City moved to terminate Mr. Farrell’s employment. That termination was finalized two weeks ago, McDermott said.
“This is a deeply troubling situation. While we are limited in what we can say due to the ongoing criminal investigation, the City acted swiftly and decisively in response to the disturbing information we received on one of our city employees,” McDermott added.
The case remains active, and Farrell is expected to face additional court proceedings in the coming weeks.
