What offense is committed when a man touches a 14-year-old girl inappropriately through her clothing?

The offense of Indecency to a Child is established when an adult engages in inappropriate contact with a minor, specifically when the actions involve sexual intent or elements of sexual nature. In this scenario, when a man touches a 14-year-old girl inappropriately through her clothing, it distinctly falls under the definition of Indecency to a Child.

This crime is designed to protect minors from sexual exploitation and inappropriate behavior. The statute typically outlines that any kind of sexual contact or exposure, even when the physical contact is through clothing, can constitute this offense if done intentionally. Given the age of the girl, she is considered a minor under the law, thus elevating the seriousness of the action and classifying it as Indecency to a Child.

Other options do not encapsulate the specific nature of the offense. While assault could involve unlawful physical contact, it typically does not entail the sexual intent necessary in this case. Child abuse usually connotes a broader category of harmful behavior towards a child, while lewd conduct often refers to actions that are overtly indecent but may not meet the criteria necessary for the specific offense of Indecency to a Child. Therefore, the correct determination in this scenario is Indecency to a Child, which directly