Adrian man held on four charges related to sex with minor child

According to documents filed this week with the Bates County Circuit Court, 25 year old Christian Ladean Claessen of Adrian, Mo. is now in custody and being held on four counts of alleged sexual contact with a child under the age of 12. The charges stem from events that took place in the years of 2025 and 2026 in Bates County:

1. Sodomy Or Attempted Sodomy - 1st Degree - Victim Is Less Than 12 Years Old { Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.060 }

2. Sodomy Or Attempted Sodomy - 1st Degree - Victim Is Less Than 12 Years Old { Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.060 }

3. Sexual Trafficking of a Child - 1st Degree - Child Under 14 Years of Age { Felony Unclassified RSMo: 566.210 }

4. Furnish Pornographic Material Or Attempt To Furnish To A Minor { Misdemeanor A RSMo: 573.040 } 

On April 20, 2026, the defendant entered a plea of not guilty in the Bates County Circuit Court. At this time Claessen is without an attorney and a counsel status hearing is scheduled for May 6th at 9 am.

Claessen is being held in the Bates County Jail on a $100,000 cash only bond.

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