Judge dismisses protection order request against Lancaster County deputy who hit girl

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A District Court Judge dismissed a protection order request against Lancaster County’s chief sheriff’s deputy on Thursday.

In May, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin struck a 9-year-old girl in his personal vehicle.  The girl was hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Last week, the girl’s mother – Tiarrah Moton – filed a petition seeking a protection order against Houchin.

But on Wednesday, she filed to have the petition dismissed, according to a District Court clerk.  The case was dismissed a day later.

Sheriff Terry Wagner said last week that an internal investigation is underway to determine if any sheriff’s office policies were violated.