Utah Code » Title 76, Chapter 5 — Offenses Against the Individual; part 76-5-4 — Sexual Offenses
Utah Code

Utah Code § 76-5-404.1 (2026)

Sexual abuse of a child -- Penalties -- Limitations

✓ current as of May 2026
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As used in this section:
"Adult" means an individual 18 years old or older.
"Child" means an individual younger than 14 years old.
"Female breast" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-401.1.
"Indecent liberties" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-401.1.
"Position of special trust" means:
an adoptive parent;
an athletic manager who is an adult;
an aunt;
a babysitter;
a coach;
a cohabitant of a parent if the cohabitant is an adult;
a counselor;
a doctor or physician;
an employer;
a foster parent;
a grandparent;
a legal guardian;
a parent;
a recreational leader who is an adult;
a religious leader;
a sibling or a stepsibling who is an adult;
a scout leader who is an adult;
a stepparent;
a teacher or any other individual employed by or volunteering at a public or private elementary school or secondary school, and who is 18 years old or older;
an instructor, professor, or teaching assistant at a public or private institution of higher education;
an uncle;
a youth leader who is an adult; or
any individual in a position of authority, other than those individuals listed in Subsections (1)(a)(v)(A) through (V), which enables the individual to exercise undue influence over the child.
Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section.
Under circumstances not amounting to an offense listed in Subsection (4), an actor commits sexual abuse of a child if the actor:
touches, whether over or under the clothing, the buttocks or pubic area of a child;
touches, whether over or under the clothing, the female breast of a child;
touches the anus or genitals of a child over the clothing; or
otherwise takes indecent liberties with a child whether over or under the clothing; and
the actor's conduct is with intent to:
cause substantial emotional or bodily pain to any individual; or
arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any individual.
Any touching, however slight, is sufficient to constitute the relevant element of a violation of Subsection (2)(a).
A violation of Subsection (2) is a second degree felony.
The offenses referred to in Subsection (2)(a) are:
rape of a child, in violation of Section 76-5-402.1;
object rape of a child, in violation of Section 76-5-402.3;
sodomy on a child, in violation of Section 76-5-403.1; or
an attempt to commit an offense listed in Subsections (4)(a) through (4)(c).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 250 cases (23 in the last 5 years), 1985–2026 · leading case: State v. Bishop, 753 P.2d 439 (Utah 1988).
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State v. Bishop, 753 P.2d 439 (Utah 1988). · cites it 162× “In conclusion, the substantive portions of the two statutes in issue, subsections 76-5-404.1 and 76-5a-3(1)(a), do not overlap in the Shondel or Perry sense.”
State v. Bair, 2012 UT App 106 (Utah Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 22× “See generally Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (2) (2008) 5 (establishing that the intent element of sexual abuse of a child and aggravated sexual abuse of a child is the "intent to ecause substantial emotional or bodily pain to any person or .”
State v. Wareham, 772 P.2d 960 (Utah 1989). · cites it 24× “The State charged defendant under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (Interim Supp.”
State v. Cox, 2007 UT App 317 (Utah Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 30× “OPINION BILLINGS, Judge: ¶ 1 Defendant Robert Ellis Cox appeals from his convictions of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (4) (2003); four counts of sodomy on a child, see id.”
State v. Gardner, 789 P.2d 273 (Utah 1989). · cites it 18× “2d at 483-88 ; Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (3)(g) (Supp.”
State v. Lusk, 2001 UT 102 (Utah 2001). · cites it 13× “4 5 On December 20, 1999, less than three months after the alleged sexual abuse was reported to law enforcement, the State charged Lusk with six counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first degree felony, in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (8) (1999). The State…”
State ex rel. Z.C., 165 P.3d 1206 (Utah 2007). · cites it 30× “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (1)-(2) (2008) (emphasis added).”
State v. Marble, 2007 UT App 82 (Utah Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 21× “See Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (Supp.1997) (amended 1998); id.”
State v. Stricklan, 2020 UT 65 (Utah 2020). · cites it 10× “, a child, on her breast, anus, buttocks, pubic area, or genitalia; with (2) an intent to cause substantial emotional or bodily pain or arouse or gratify sexual desire; and (3) that Stricklan occupied a position of special trust.”
State v. Rowley, 2008 UT App 233 (Utah Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 32× “OPINION MeHUGH, Judge: T1 Defendant Stephen Edgar Rowley appeals his conviction for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first degree felony, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (2003). 1 Rowley argues that there was insufficient evidence to support the jury's…”
State v. Vogt, 824 P.2d 455 (Utah Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 30× “OPINION RUSSON, Judge: John Vogt appeals his conviction of attempted sexual abuse of a child, a third degree felony, in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (1990). 1 We affirm.”
State v. Bradley, 2002 UT App 348 (Utah Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 12× “OPINION DAVIS, Judge: ¶ 1 Appellant Milton Bradley (Bradley) appeals the convictions of one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first degree felony, in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (1999), and five counts of sodomy on a child, a first degree felony, in…”
Show all 250 citing cases →
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(1) — 17 cases
State v. Bishop, 753 P.2d 439 (Utah 1988). “In conclusion, the substantive portions of the two statutes in issue, subsections 76-5-404.1 and 76-5a-3(1)(a), do not overlap in the Shondel or Perry sense.”
State v. Lusk, 2001 UT 102 (Utah 2001). “4 5 On December 20, 1999, less than three months after the alleged sexual abuse was reported to law enforcement, the State charged Lusk with six counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first degree felony, in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (8) (1999). The State…”
State v. Hatch, 2019 UT App 203 (Utah Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Tueller, 2001 UT App 317 (Utah Ct. App. 2001).
State v. Knight, 79 P.3d 969 (Utah Ct. App. 2003).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(1)(a)(iv) — 1 case
State v. Labrum, 2025 UT 12 (Utah 2025).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(1)(a)(iv)(W) — 1 case
State v. Labrum, 2025 UT 12 (Utah 2025).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(1)(a)(v)(F) — 1 case
State v. Francis, 2025 UT App 104 (Utah Ct. App. 2025).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(1)(b) — 1 case
State v. Stricklan, 2020 UT 65 (Utah 2020). “, a child, on her breast, anus, buttocks, pubic area, or genitalia; with (2) an intent to cause substantial emotional or bodily pain or arouse or gratify sexual desire; and (3) that Stricklan occupied a position of special trust.”
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(1)(c) — 2 cases
State v. Stricklan, 2020 UT 65 (Utah 2020). “, a child, on her breast, anus, buttocks, pubic area, or genitalia; with (2) an intent to cause substantial emotional or bodily pain or arouse or gratify sexual desire; and (3) that Stricklan occupied a position of special trust.”
Calder v. State, 2022 UT App 67 (Utah Ct. App. 2022).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(1)(c)(vi) — 1 case
State v. Schmidt, 2015 UT 65 (Utah 2015).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(1)(c)(xix) — 1 case
Calder v. State, 2022 UT App 67 (Utah Ct. App. 2022).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(1)(c)(xxii) — 2 cases
Christensen v. Juab Sch. Dist., 2017 UT 47 (Utah 2017).
State v. Huey, 2022 UT App 94 (Utah Ct. App. 2022).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(2) — 26 cases
State v. Stricklan, 2020 UT 65 (Utah 2020). “, a child, on her breast, anus, buttocks, pubic area, or genitalia; with (2) an intent to cause substantial emotional or bodily pain or arouse or gratify sexual desire; and (3) that Stricklan occupied a position of special trust.”
State v. Gollaher, 2020 UT App 131 (Utah Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Granere, 2024 UT App 1 (Utah Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Cegers, 2019 UT App 54 (Utah Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Mendoza, 2021 UT App 79 (Utah Ct. App. 2021).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(2)(a) — 5 cases
State v. Baugh, 2024 UT 33 (Utah 2024).
State v. Garcia, 2024 UT App 38 (Utah Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Granere, 2024 UT App 1 (Utah Ct. App. 2024).
Shanley v. Hutchings (D. Utah 2024).
State v. Mitchell, 2023 UT App 42 (Utah Ct. App. 2023).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(3) — 11 cases
State v. Bishop, 753 P.2d 439 (Utah 1988). “In conclusion, the substantive portions of the two statutes in issue, subsections 76-5-404.1 and 76-5a-3(1)(a), do not overlap in the Shondel or Perry sense.”
State v. Gray, 2016 UT App 87 (Utah Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Casey, 2002 UT 29 (Utah 2002).
State v. Cox, 2007 UT App 317 (Utah Ct. App. 2007). “OPINION BILLINGS, Judge: ¶ 1 Defendant Robert Ellis Cox appeals from his convictions of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (4) (2003); four counts of sodomy on a child, see id.”
State v. Mitchell, 769 P.2d 817 (Utah 1989).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(3)(b) — 1 case
State v. Bishop, 753 P.2d 439 (Utah 1988). “In conclusion, the substantive portions of the two statutes in issue, subsections 76-5-404.1 and 76-5a-3(1)(a), do not overlap in the Shondel or Perry sense.”
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(3)(e) — 1 case
State v. Lawson, 2018 UT App 186 (Utah Ct. App. 2018).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(3)(f) — 1 case
State v. Thomas, 1999 UT 2 (Utah 1999).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(3)(g) — 5 cases
State v. Bishop, 753 P.2d 439 (Utah 1988). “In conclusion, the substantive portions of the two statutes in issue, subsections 76-5-404.1 and 76-5a-3(1)(a), do not overlap in the Shondel or Perry sense.”
State v. Gardner, 789 P.2d 273 (Utah 1989). “2d at 483-88 ; Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (3)(g) (Supp.”
State v. Wareham, 772 P.2d 960 (Utah 1989). “The State charged defendant under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (Interim Supp.”
State v. Florez, 777 P.2d 452 (Utah 1989).
State v. Wareham, 801 P.2d 918 (Utah 1990).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(3)(h) — 5 cases
State v. Cox, 2007 UT App 317 (Utah Ct. App. 2007). “OPINION BILLINGS, Judge: ¶ 1 Defendant Robert Ellis Cox appeals from his convictions of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (4) (2003); four counts of sodomy on a child, see id.”
State v. Pledger, 896 P.2d 1226 (Utah 1995).
Hurst v. Cook, 777 P.2d 1029 (Utah 1989).
State v. Beason, 2 P.3d 459 (Utah Ct. App. 2000).
State v. Lawson, 2018 UT App 186 (Utah Ct. App. 2018).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(4) — 21 cases
State v. Burnside, 2016 UT App 224 (Utah Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Lopez, 2020 UT 61 (Utah 2020).
State v. Baugh, 2024 UT 33 (Utah 2024).
State v. Harper, 2006 UT App 178 (Utah Ct. App. 2006).
Christensen v. Juab Sch. Dist., 2017 UT 47 (Utah 2017).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(4)(J) — 1 case
State v. Peterson, 2015 UT App 129 (Utah Ct. App. 2015).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(4)(b) — 3 cases
State v. Ellis, 2014 UT App 185 (Utah Ct. App. 2014).
State v. Casper, 2018 UT App 185 (Utah Ct. App. 2018).
State v. Watkins, 2013 UT 28 (Utah 2013).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(4)(bh) — 2 cases
State v. Rowley, 2008 UT App 233 (Utah Ct. App. 2008). “OPINION MeHUGH, Judge: T1 Defendant Stephen Edgar Rowley appeals his conviction for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first degree felony, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (2003). 1 Rowley argues that there was insufficient evidence to support the jury's…”
State v. Watkins, 2011 UT App 96 (Utah Ct. App. 2011).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(4)(e) — 2 cases
State v. Ferguson, 2011 UT App 77 (Utah Ct. App. 2011).
State v. Ingram, 139 P.3d 286 (Utah Ct. App. 2006).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(4)(f) — 1 case
State v. Martin, 2017 UT 63 (Utah 2017).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(4)(g) — 2 cases
State ex rel. Z.C., 165 P.3d 1206 (Utah 2007). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (1)-(2) (2008) (emphasis added).”
State Ex Rel. Zc, 2007 UT 54 (Utah 2007).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(4)(h) — 15 cases
State v. Rowley, 2008 UT App 233 (Utah Ct. App. 2008). “OPINION MeHUGH, Judge: T1 Defendant Stephen Edgar Rowley appeals his conviction for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first degree felony, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (2003). 1 Rowley argues that there was insufficient evidence to support the jury's…”
State v. Tanner, 2009 UT App 326 (Utah Ct. App. 2009).
State v. Jeffs, 2010 UT 49 (Utah 2010).
State v. Billingsley, 2013 UT 17 (Utah 2013).
State v. Martin, 2017 UT 63 (Utah 2017).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(5) — 3 cases
State v. Lebeau, 2014 UT 39 (Utah 2014).
State v. Baker, 176 P.3d 493 (Utah Ct. App. 2008).
State v. Harris, 2011 UT App 274 (Utah Ct. App. 2011).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(5)(a) — 2 cases
State v. Gray, 2016 UT App 87 (Utah Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Lintzen, 2015 UT App 68 (Utah Ct. App. 2015).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(5)(b) — 1 case
State v. Lebeau, 2014 UT 39 (Utah 2014).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(5)(c) — 1 case
State v. Garcia, 2022 UT App 77 (Utah Ct. App. 2022).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(6) — 3 cases
State v. Alvarez, 2017 UT App 145 (Utah Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Finchum, 2012 UT App 331 (Utah Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Casper, 2018 UT App 185 (Utah Ct. App. 2018).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(8) — 6 cases
State v. Lusk, 2001 UT 102 (Utah 2001). “4 5 On December 20, 1999, less than three months after the alleged sexual abuse was reported to law enforcement, the State charged Lusk with six counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first degree felony, in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (8) (1999). The State…”
State v. Casey, 2002 UT 29 (Utah 2002).
State v. Cox, 2007 UT App 317 (Utah Ct. App. 2007). “OPINION BILLINGS, Judge: ¶ 1 Defendant Robert Ellis Cox appeals from his convictions of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (4) (2003); four counts of sodomy on a child, see id.”
State v. Walker, 2013 UT App 198 (Utah Ct. App. 2013).
State v. Rowley, 2008 UT App 233 (Utah Ct. App. 2008). “OPINION MeHUGH, Judge: T1 Defendant Stephen Edgar Rowley appeals his conviction for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first degree felony, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (2003). 1 Rowley argues that there was insufficient evidence to support the jury's…”
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(8)(g) — 1 case
State v. Reed, 2000 UT 68 (Utah 2000).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(8)(h) — 5 cases
State v. Bair, 2012 UT App 106 (Utah Ct. App. 2012). “See generally Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (2) (2008) 5 (establishing that the intent element of sexual abuse of a child and aggravated sexual abuse of a child is the "intent to ecause substantial emotional or bodily pain to any person or .”
State v. Beason, 2 P.3d 459 (Utah Ct. App. 2000).
State v. Robbins, 2009 UT 23 (Utah 2009).
State v. Cox, 2007 UT App 317 (Utah Ct. App. 2007). “OPINION BILLINGS, Judge: ¶ 1 Defendant Robert Ellis Cox appeals from his convictions of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (4) (2003); four counts of sodomy on a child, see id.”
State v. Marble, 2007 UT App 82 (Utah Ct. App. 2007). “See Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404.1 (Supp.1997) (amended 1998); id.”
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(c) — 2 cases
Christensen v. Juab Sch. Dist., 2017 UT 47 (Utah 2017).
Christensen v. Juab Sch Dist, 2017 UT 47 (Utah 2017).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(c)(vii) — 1 case
Calder v. State, 2022 UT App 67 (Utah Ct. App. 2022).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(c)(xix) — 1 case
Calder v. State, 2022 UT App 67 (Utah Ct. App. 2022).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(h) — 1 case
State v. Lawson, 2018 UT App 186 (Utah Ct. App. 2018).
— Utah Code § 76-5-404.1(l) — 1 case
State v. West, 765 P.2d 891 (Utah 1988).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.