http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...OCAL/609290457

CARLISLE, Ind. -- An inmate serving life in prison for molesting and killing 10-year-old Katie Collman is now the subject of an investigation into how he ended up with the tattoo "Katie's Revenge" emblazoned across his forehead.

The Indiana Department of Correction placed Anthony Ray Stockelman, 39, in protective custody away from the general inmate population last weekend after authorities discovered the tattoo, said Rich Larsen, a spokesman for the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. It is about 30 miles south of Terre Haute.

An internal investigation is under way to determine how the tattoo, which covers Stockelman's entire forehead, got there, Larsen said Wednesday. He refused to comment on what Stockelman has said about it or what investigators have learned.

A message seeking additional comment left Thursday for a DOC representative was not immediately returned.

Stockelman was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to abducting, molesting and killing Katlyn "Katie" Collman. The Crothersville girl was missing for five days before her body was found Jan. 30, 2005, in a creek about 15 miles from her Southern Indiana home.

Although prison officials did not comment on how Stockelman got the tattoo, Collman's father, John Neace, believes it was the work of inmates.

"If I had to guess, I'd say it's a statement from the inmates," he said Wednesday.

Neace said he heard about the tattoo from friends and has no idea if his late daughter's distant cousin, who also is serving time at Wabash, played any role.
Tattoos are against state prison regulations.

Larsen said he did not know how a picture of the tattoo that has appeared in some media reports was taken and distributed outside the prison, including being posted on the Internet.

Larsen said the results of the investigation would be turned over to the Indiana State Police.