Joplin man charged with two counts of child molestation

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed two child molestation charges against a Joplin man Friday.

An arrest warrant was issued for Michael Schlueter (DOB 1965) with bond set at $200,000 cash only.

The alleged crimes took place in January at Schlueter's residence where the child, who is under age 12 was spending the night, according to the probable cause statement.

Victim 1 disclosed that Schlueter asked her if she wanted "snuggles" and asked her to go to the guest bedroom with him, which she followed him into. Schlueter helped her onto the bed and while lying on the bed Schlueter rubbed the outside of victim 1's vagina on her skin with his hand. Schlueter asked victim 1 if she liked that which she told him no.

Schlueter told victim 1 to keep this a secret between them and told her not to tell anyone.

Victim 1 disclosed there was an additional incident that occurred at Schlueter's residence on a different
date. Victim 1 discloses while lying on the air mattress in the living room, Schlueter rubbed her vagina
the same way he did before however this time was over her clothes.

Schlueter was arrested by the Joplin Police Department on 03/25/2026 and charged with domestic
assault. (Note: This was a different case.)

During his interview with police, Schlueter acknowledged the child had spent the night with him and his wife on occasions. He said he and his wife bought the child "the Bluey designed pajamas as well as the Care Bear style pajama, which she had described wearing in her interview at the Children's Center.