Child Seduction in Indiana

Child seduction is a serious crime. If you’re facing these charges, your entire life could be upended. You’ll be facing prison time, fines, and reputational damage, among other penalties and challenges. 

Understanding what child seduction is under Indiana law and the differing penalties will give you an idea of what you’re dealing with and how important a strong criminal defense team will be in your case. 

What is Considered Child Seduction Under Indiana Law?

Under Indiana law, child seduction is when an adult in a position of power or authority sexually touches or participates in sexual activity with a minor. Behaviors that fall under the category of child seduction include: 

• Sexual intercourse 
• Fondling or touching with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of the adult
• Fondling or touching with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of the child
• Other sexual 
• Acts involving a sex organ of one person and the mouth or anus of another
• Acts involving the penetration of a sex organ or anus by a person with an object

Who Can Be Charged with Child Seduction in Indiana? 

For a person to be charged with child seduction in Indiana, they must have had a specific relationship or role in the child’s life at the time of the sexual conduct. This relationship must be one where the adult was in a position of power, authority, or could exert undue influence on the child. It must be one where the adult used their professional relationship with the child to participate in sexual activity. The adult must also have known that the child was under the age of eighteen years. 

Those who can be charged with child seduction include: 

• On-duty police or law enforcement officers 
• Teachers or professors 
• Workplace supervisor 
• Youth sports or club organizer 
• Sports coach 
• Child care worker 
• Guardian, adoptive parent, or family member 
• Military recruiter 
• Licensed professional, such as a doctor or therapist 

How is Child Seduction Charged in Indiana?

There is a wide range of penalties you can face if you are found guilty of child seduction. In Indiana, child seduction is a felony. The crime can range from a Level 2 felony to a Level 6 felony. (There are six felony levels in Indiana.) The penalties will significantly vary based on the felony level you are charged with. 

The felony level you are charged with will depend on the age of the child and the type of sexual activity involved. The younger the child and the more serious the sexual activity, the more severe the felony charges will be. 

How felony child seduction charges are categorized is: 

Level 2 Felony:

• Sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child age 13 or younger. 

Level 3 Felony:

• Touching or fondling a child aged 13 or younger. 

Level 4 Felony: 

• Sexual intercourse or other sexual acts with a child aged 14 or 15. 

Level 5 Felony: 

• Sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child aged 16 or 17. 
• Touching or fondling a child aged 14 or 15. 

Level 6 Felony:

• Touching or fondling a child aged 16 or 17. 

Any level felony is a serious charge. At Razumich & Associates, our criminal defense attorneys have successfully handled cases at all felony levels of child seduction cases. Learn more about how we can help you by scheduling your free case evaluation. Call us at 317-983-5333 or contact us online.