A Charlotte man has been sentenced to prison after admitting he sexually assaulted his girlfriend's 9-year-old daughter on Christmas Day 2024, according to reporting. Prosecutors say 30-year-old Amado Barragan Lopez told detectives he touched the child several times while she slept at a trailer park home in Charlotte. A judge ordered a prison term and long-term sex offender registration in the case.
How investigators say it unfolded
As reported by Charlotte Alerts News, the girl awoke on Dec. 25, 2024, to someone touching her under her clothing while she held a teddy bear. She told her mother and grandmother that same day, and the family contacted police on Dec. 26, 2024. Investigators say the child later described similar incidents that she said took place in November 2024.
Forensic exam and interview
Crimes-against-children detectives met with the family, and the child was given a forensic interview and medical exam at Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center, the county hub for evaluating suspected child abuse. At Pat's Place, trained professionals coordinate interviews, exams and counseling so children do not have to repeat traumatic accounts to multiple agencies. That multidisciplinary setup is how investigators documented the girl's statements and gathered evidence for prosecutors.
Guilty plea and sentence
According to Charlotte Alerts News, Lopez pleaded guilty in May 2026 to taking indecent liberties with a child. The Honorable Judge Strickland sentenced him to 13 to 25 months in prison and ordered that he register as a sex offender for 30 years. The reporting states Lopez admitted the touching during a voluntary interview with detectives on Dec. 30, 2024, and was arrested at that meeting. Prosecutors charged him with multiple counts of indecent liberties tied to incidents in November and December 2024.
What the law says
Under North Carolina law, the offense of "taking indecent liberties with children" covers lewd or improper sexual contact with minors and is charged under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-202.1. The state's sex offender registration rules generally require people on the registry to remain listed for at least 30 years, although the law allows a registrant to ask a court for a shorter period in limited circumstances. The statute and registration framework are outlined by the North Carolina General Assembly.
Pat's Place and local detectives encourage anyone with information about suspected child abuse to contact law enforcement or Child Protective Services. Pat's Place lists 704-336-CARE as the county reporting line and offers support for families going through interviews, exams and counseling. The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office prosecutes child sex cases and can provide information on filings and court dates. Community members with tips or urgent concerns are urged to call 911 or use the county reporting resources so investigators can follow up.
