BROOKSVILLE - A 36-year-old New Port Richey man was free on bail Wednesday after he was accused of fondling an 8-year-old girl.
Charles J. Wirshels of 11953 Wanda Ave., was arrested about 2 p.m. Tuesday and charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation, a first-degree felony punishable by as much as 30 years in prison.
Investigators began looking into allegations that Wirshels inappropriately touched the young girl after she tried, on another child, to mimic what he allegedly had done to her and her parents found out, a sheriff's report said.
When questioned by her parents, the girl, whose name is being withheld because of her age and the nature of the allegations, told them what happened.
Wirshels was brought into the Sheriff's Office for questioning.
During interviews, Wirshels gave inconsistent and deceptive statements to investigators, the report stated. But authorities determined that between October and December, Wirshels reached under the girl's clothing and fondled her. Wirshels, a truck driver, was later taken into custody.
He was released from Hernando County Jail after posting $15,000 bail and ordered to appear in court for arraignment March 30, court records indicated.
