CROWN POINT | A Merrillville man faces eight years in prison if convicted of molesting a 6-year-old girl at his 28th birthday party.

A female relative told police she heard noise in a bedroom while at a party July 16, court records state. When the door opened, she saw Thomas Woodke walk toward the back of the room and the girl came out.

The woman noticed the girl's ponytail was messed up, records show. Later at the party, the woman was looking for the little girl when she saw her go downstairs to Woodke's room.

The woman told police she heard the girl ask Woodke about the fish in his fish tank.

She heard Woodke say : "Come over by me. You're sexy. Give me my birthday present," records state.

The woman told authorities she told the girl to leave and Woodke asked her not to tell anyone.

She told police, who interviewed the little girl, according to court records.

When police asked Woodke why he thought he was being questioned, he said, "Because of (the girl) and my stupidity," reports state.

"I wish I didn't have these feelings," court records indicate Woodke said. "I've had things in my head since the car accident in October 1997."