East Chicago Woman Avoids Jail Time in Child Abuse Case

Stephanie Alvarado pleaded guilty to battery, avoiding child molesting charges from over a decade ago.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:50pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a worn, damaged child's toy lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a sense of vulnerability and the aftermath of abuse.The harsh, unforgiving light of this crime scene evidence photo reflects the trauma experienced by the young victim in this disturbing case.Chicago Today

A 35-year-old East Chicago woman, Stephanie Alvarado, was sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to battery on a person under 14 years of age. The child molesting charges against Alvarado from over a decade ago were dropped by prosecutors who admitted they could not prove the more serious allegations.

Why it matters

The case highlights the challenges prosecutors can face in pursuing child abuse charges, especially when the alleged incidents occurred many years in the past. The plea deal also raises questions about accountability and justice for victims of abuse.

The details

Alvarado's child molesting trial ended in a mistrial in November 2025 after a detective misattributed an answer during testimony. In exchange for Alvarado's guilty plea to the battery charge, prosecutors agreed to drop the child molesting charges. Her ex-boyfriend, Andres Guerra, was sentenced to 80 years in prison in November 2025 after being convicted of two counts of child molesting related to the same victim.

  • Alvarado pleaded guilty to the battery charge on February 20, 2026.
  • Alvarado's child molesting trial ended in a mistrial in November 2025.
  • Andres Guerra was sentenced to 80 years in prison in November 2025.

The players

Stephanie Alvarado

A 35-year-old East Chicago woman who pleaded guilty to battery on a person under 14 years of age, avoiding more serious child molesting charges.

Andres Guerra

Alvarado's ex-boyfriend who was sentenced to 80 years in prison in November 2025 after being convicted of two counts of child molesting related to the same victim.

Josh Malher

Alvarado's defense lawyer who said the plea deal was 'appropriate'.

Diayan Rajamohan

The deputy prosecutor who said the plea deal was 'evidence-based' but admitted it was what they could prove.

Mellissa Guerra

The wife of Andres Guerra, a Hammond school board member, who said she hoped one day he would be 'exonerated'.

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What they’re saying

“The plea was 'appropriate'.”

— Josh Malher, Defense Lawyer

“The plea deal was 'evidence-based,' but admitted it was what they could prove.”

— Diayan Rajamohan, Deputy Prosecutor

“I apologize for the situation.”

— Stephanie Alvarado

“I hope one day he would be 'exonerated'.”

— Mellissa Guerra, Wife of Andres Guerra

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors face in pursuing child abuse charges, especially when the alleged incidents occurred many years in the past. The plea deal raises questions about accountability and justice for victims of abuse, as the more serious charges were dropped despite the victim's allegations.