Staff Report

Cody Lee Bryan

NAPPANEE — A Nappanee teenager was arrested for allegedly inappropriately touching a child.

Cody Lee Bryan, 18, Nappanee, is charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, a level 6 felony.

On Dec. 21, 2024, a report was made to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office about a man inappropriately touching a child.

According to court documents, the child was at school when they told a friend they were being abused by Bryan. In an interview, the child said Bryan inappropriately touched them. They said they told Bryan to stop and he did.

In an interview on Jan. 24, 2025, Bryan said he was scratching the child’s back when his hand went lower and he inappropriately touched them. When asked what he was thinking when he started to touch the child, Bryan said he had “lustful thoughts” and sometimes enjoyed touching them.

Bryan has already been arrested in Elkhart County and released on bond. He has an initial hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, in Elkhart Superior Court Three.