Illinois Man Charged With Additional Counts Of Child Crimes in Lake County
Mathiew Allen Giddins, 42, of Illinois, is facing additional felony child molestation charges following a Lake County investigation into allegations involving multiple incidents reported to have occurred several years ago.
Court records show the investigation began after allegations were reported in 2019 involving incidents that occurred in Lake County. Detectives reviewed prior police reports and forensic interviews as part of the investigation.
According to court filings, the victim, who was 12 years old at the time of disclosure, reported being molested over multiple incidents beginning when she was approximately 10 years old. Records state the victim was not Giddins’ biological child, but that he had previously been in a relationship with the victim’s mother and often cared for the children.
Investigators documented allegations involving incidents that reportedly occurred at residences in Crown Point and Merrillville. The allegations were disclosed during a forensic interview and subsequent interviews as part of the investigation.
Charges filed December 16,2025:
• Child Molesting (Defendant at Least 21 Years of Age) – Level 1 Felony
• Child Molesting (Fondling or Touching, Child Under 14) – Level 4 Felony
• Child Molesting (Fondling or Touching, Child Under 14) – Level 4 Felony
Court records also show Giddins has another pending child molestation case in Lake County.
Charges filed November 7,2025:
• Child Molesting (Defendant at Least 21 Years of Age) – Level 1 Felony
• Child Molesting (Defendant at Least 21 Years of Age) – Level 1 Felony
• Child Molesting (Defendant at Least 21 Years of Age) – Level 1 Felony
• Child Molesting (Defendant at Least 21 Years of Age) – Level 1 Felony
• Child Molesting (Fondling or Touching, Child Under 14) – Level 4 Felony
• Child Molesting (Fondling or Touching, Child Under 14) – Level 4 Felony
• Child Molesting (Fondling or Touching, Child Under 14) – Level 4 Felony
• Child Molesting (Fondling or Touching, Child Under 14) – Level 4 Felony
