MARSHALL — A Vesta man has been charged with soliciting a minor for sexual contact in Marshall, Lyon County court records said.

Robert John Duffy, 74, appeared in Lyon County District Court on Tuesday on charges of soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct, and disorderly conduct, court records said. A criminal complaint alleges that in May, Duffy approached a child under 18 in a bathroom at Independence Park and asked for sexual contact. The child texted his mother for help, and Duffy left the bathroom when the mother knocked on the door, the complaint alleges.

At a May 30 hearing, bail for Duffy was set at $30,000 without conditions, or $15,000 cash or bond with conditions including that he stay in Minnesota, that he have no contact with minors, and that he did not enter any parks in Marshall.

At Tuesday’s hearing, attorneys for Duffy and for the prosecution asked that he undergo an evaluation for mental illness or cognitive impairment, and to determine if Duffy was competent to proceed in court. The judge ordered that the evaluation be conducted, court records said. Proceedings in Duffy’s case would be on hold until the evaluation was completed, court records said.