Valpo Male Charged Twice This Week With Child Crimes
On February 15, 2025, the Valparaiso Police Department was contacted Northwest Indiana (NWI) Predator Catchers regarding a child solicitation incident, according to court documents.
The VPD observed text messages between the decoy from NWI Predator Catchers and the suspect, who was later identified as Kaiden Aurenz. According to court documents, there were brief messages on the Grndr App, as Aurenz had directed the decoy to contact him at a telephone number he provided.
The decoy explained that they began to communicate with Aurenz via text in December of 2024. The decoy indicated to Aurenz that she was 13 years old, and they exchanged images of each other. Aurenz indicated to the decoy that he was 18 years old, despite the fact that he was really 20 years old at the time. At one point, the decoy explained that she just celebrated her 13th birthday, to which Aurenz replied “I mean idk ur young I mean I just turned 18 but your 13 little young.” The conversation continued, and Aurenz stated “I’ll think about it as young as I may be myself I still don’t wanna get in trouble its not me.” The conversations continued, on and off, over the next few weeks. On January 18, 2025, Aurenz asked if the decoy wanted to “meet up.” According to court documents, Aurenz and the decoy had an extensive, provocative conversation via text message, which included provocative images. The decoy had sent a “selfie” image to Aurenz, who continued to solicit her for more provocative images.
These conversations continued through February 15, 2025, at which time the decoy and Aurenz agreed to meet at Culvers in Valparaiso. Once Aurenz arrived, and it was confirmed that he was in the vehicle, the decoy and NWI Predator Catchers contacted the Valparaiso Police Department, who ultimately took Aurenz into custody.
During the VPD investigation, Aurenz acknowledged that he was aware that the age of the female he was supposed to be meeting was 13 years old. Aurenz also advised that he had downloaded sexually explicit images from Telegram and Kik applications. Aurenz consented to a search of his cellphone. In the deleted files history on his phone, there were NUMEROUS images depicting prepubescent girls, younger than 13 years old, in sexual situations. Some of the girls in the images were even younger than a kindergartner.
Kaiden Aurenz is currently lodged at the Porter County Jail.
On February 18, 2025, Kaiden Aurenz was charged with:
Child Solicitation – F4 Felony
Child Solicitation – F5 Felony
On February 19, 2025, after the investigation into Aurenz’ phone, additional charges were filed against him for:
Possession of Child Pornography – F5 Felony
Possession of Child Pornography – F6 Felony
