Judge Dismisses and Expunges Protection Order Against Brownsburg Councilman

At A Glance:
What:  Hendricks County judge dismissed a protection order against Councilman Travis Tschaenn. The judge also ordered the protection order expunged from the record.
When: January 30, 2026
Summary: A Hendricks County judge ruled that a domestic incident occurred between Brownsburg Town Council member Travis Tschaenn and his wife in early July 2025 but denied a protective order after finding no credible ongoing threat at the time the petition was filed nearly 30 days later.
 
Judge Dismisses and Expunges Protection Order Against Brownsburg Councilman

Brownsburg – After more than two hours of testimony and review of more than ten exhibits, a judge on Friday (January 30th) dismissed a protection order filed against Brownsburg Town Council member Travis Tschaenn. The judge also expunged the order from the legal record without additional legal filings by the accused.

Upon the advice of her legal counsel, Krista Tschaenn filed an ex parte protection order on August 5, 2025, she alleged an incident that reportedly occurred in the early morning hours of July 8, 2025—nearly one month earlier. Mr. Tschaenn filed for divorce on July 28, 2025.

Under Indiana law, an ex parte protection order is a temporary civil order issued by a judge without hearing testimony from both parties.

Krista’s filing did not allege that she, the children, or the public were ever under immediate threat. Sworn testimony during both the divorce and protection order proceedings did not include allegations by either party of physical, verbal, or emotional abuse against the other. Nor did either party allege abuse involving their shared 9-year-old daughter or Kristia’s 19-year-old son from a previous marriage.

Krista’s 19-year-old son testified on behalf of Mr. Tschaenn, stating he was home and awake July 8^th  and did not hear or observe anything unusual that evening.

Evidence supplied by Mr. Tschaenn indicated in the weeks that followed July 8th,  his spouse continued to return to the home multiple times while he was present, without expressing fear or concern for her safety.

The court ruled a domestic incident occurred on July 8th, yet denied the protective order as it determined there is no ongoing credible threat.  The judge’s complete 7 page ruling is found below.

No criminal charges were ever filed against Travis Tschaenn in connection with the alleged event.

Tschaenn continues to serve on the Brownsburg Town Council, representing Ward 5.

In a statement provided by Mr. Tschaenn — 

“On January 30, the court dismissed a Protection Order that had been filed against me. Until that ruling, I was unable to speak publicly, even as false accusations circulated and affected my family.

After I filed for divorce, the Protection Order resulted in my being separated from my daughter for eight weeks until the court reviewed the facts and restored my parenting time. The court has now dismissed the order in full.

I never posed a danger to anyone. I’m sharing this simply to correct the record and move forward. My focus is on healing, being a present father, and living with honesty and dignity.

Thank you to those who showed patience, kindness, and support.”. — Travis Tschaenn

Court Order Denying Protective Order Found Below

Summary
The judge determined the Krista’s claim that she continued to fear for her safety after the incident was not credible, citing her repeated returns to the home, ongoing civil communication, and invitations to interact as behavior inconsistent with a belief that violence was still likely.

Under Indiana law, a protective order requires proof that domestic violence occurred and reasonable grounds to believe the threat remains. The court found the second standard was not met.

Content courtesy of:
Article by The Editor
Statement provided by Travis Tschaenn
2026 02 03 – Added Judge’s Complete Protection Order Ruling to Article