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Indiana statute

Ind. Code § 35-42-4-13 — Inappropriate communication with a child

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 4: Sex Crimes, Indiana Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Ind. Code § 35-42-4-13

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Indiana.

Ind. Code § 35-42-4-13Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
Sec. 13. (a) This section does not apply to the following: (1) A parent, guardian, or custodian of a child. (2) A person who acts with the permission of a child's parent, guardian, or custodian. (3) A person to whom a child makes a report of abuse or neglect. (4) A person to whom a child reports medical symptoms that relate to or may relate to sexual activity. (b) As used in this section, "sexual activity" means sexual intercourse, other sexual conduct (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-221.5 ), or the fondling or touching of the buttocks, genitals, or female breasts. (c) A person at least eighteen (18) years of age who knowingly or intentionally: (1) communicates with an individual whom the person believes to be a child less than fourteen (14) years of age concerning sexual activity with the intent to gratify the sexual desires of the person or the individual; or (2) engages in a pattern of repeated or continuous contact with an individual the person believes to be less than fourteen (14) years of age, with the intent to condition the individual to be less resistant to future sexual conduct or sexual activity; commits sexual grooming, a Class B misdemeanor. However, the offense is: (1) a Class A misdemeanor if the person commits the offense by using a computer network (as defined in IC 35-43-2-3 (a); and (2) a Level 6 felony if the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section or for a sex offense (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5.2 ).

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is inappropriate communication with a child a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: inappropriate communication with a child ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-42-4-13.

Sexual grooming — base offense: Class B Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-42-4-13(c)) · Sexual grooming — via computer network: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-42-4-13(c)) · Sexual grooming — prior conviction: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-42-4-13(c))

Which Indiana statute covers inappropriate communication with a child?

Inappropriate communication with a child is governed by Ind. Code § 35-42-4-13 (Inappropriate communication with a child).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.