An Indiana man who allegedly faked his own death to avoid paying child support has been found alive and well—at his girlfriend’s house in the same county.
Indiana State Police announced on Facebook that 51-year-old Jeffrey Bell Jr. was arrested on multiple charges, including false reporting. .. Continue reading here ▶
Back in April 2024, Bell reportedly claimed he was dead so he wouldn’t have to pay a large amount of overdue child support.
But when a detective visited his girlfriend’s home after receiving emails about his supposed death, Bell was very much alive.
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According to police, Bell didn’t stop lying there. When officers found him, he initially denied being Jeffrey Bell.
However, once his identity was confirmed, he was given a court date on January 23 at Washington County Circuit Court.
Bell then allegedly told the court he was out of state and needed to attend the hearing via video call. But officials became suspicious and believed he was still in Indiana—possibly in the same home where the detective had originally found him.
Washington County deputies went to check, and sure enough, Bell was inside the house. When officers confirmed his presence, Judge Larry Medlock ordered him to be taken into custody immediately and brought to court.
Bell was booked into Washington County Jail with a $100,000 bond for false reporting. He also faces three charges for failing to appear in court—one with a $500 bond and two with no bond.
He remains in jail and is scheduled to appear in court on February 6 for a contempt charge. His jury trial for the false reporting charge is set for May 13.
