Man, 23, arrested July 21 for molesting child, 8

An 8-year-old female reported to a family member that she had been touched inappropriately by a 23-year-old male, Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Joe Crider said.

The child’s guardian called and reported this incident of child molestation to the police at approximately 2:50 p.m. July 21.

This incident allegedly occurred in a residence on the south side of Bloomington when the child was being watched by the 23-year-old male, the guardian said.

A forensic interview was conducted, which is designed to gather the greatest amount of reliable information in a child-sensitive, developmentally-appropriate and legally-defensible manner. This interview happened at Susie’s Place, which is an organization made up of a multidisciplinary team to investigate and intervene in cases of suspected child abuse, primarily sexual abuse.

The 23-year-old male was located and interviewed, police said.

The man admitted to police that he touched the girl inappropriately while she sat on his lap and played video games and again later when the child was in his bedroom. He also told police that he would classify himself as a pedophile based on his sexual interests, police said.

He was arrested and remanded for child molestation, Crider said.

With the male’s consent, officers returned to his residence and collected his electronic devices to process for more evidence.

— Samantha Felix