Man accused of inappropriately touching 12-year-old girl outside Raleigh library

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A 39-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly touching a 12-year-old girl inappropriately while she was walking in downtown Raleigh.

Raleigh Police Department said the crime happened Saturday between 6 and 6:30 p.m. just outside the Wake County Public Library on Fayetteville Street.

Investigators said a 12-year-old girl, along with her mother, walked up to an officer in the area and reported that Christopher Baumgarden touched her breast and hugged her.

Baumgarden was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor count of sexual battery.

"I would have lost my mind," said Tia Shields, who was having lunch with her husband in the same area on Fayetteville Street Monday. "I would have a fit. Yeah, I don't feel that any man that age should be, especially that my daughter's didn't know, should be approaching them and hugging them."