A 29-year-old male substitute teacher was charged with child molestation after an alleged incident with a female junior high student. According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, the alleged molestation incident occurred at Los Coyotes Middle School in La Mirada. The girl’s mother alleged that the man touched her daughter inappropriately and, after speaking to students and staff, officials arrested the man for misdemeanor child molestation. He was charged on March 14.
In a case involving child molestation or a lewd act with a child, the prosecution will have to prove that the defendant willfully touched any part of the child’s body with the intent of arousing or appealing to the sexual desires of the defendant or the child. The details of the alleged incident will have to be examined thoroughly, including not only what form of touching actually took place, but also the intention behind the act.
It is common for individuals who work with children to be wrongfully charged and even convicted of lewd acts with a child after a misunderstanding or a false allegation. While it is important to protect innocent children, it is also important to investigate allegations thoroughly. A conviction for child molestation or a lewd act can have a devastating impact on an individual’s social standing, career, and future.
The experienced Los Angeles sex crime defense attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan have a proven track record of fighting false allegations of child molestation in Southern California. If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex crime, please call our offices today at (866) 430-8383 for a free consultation.