MARSHALL — A Vesta man charged with soliciting a minor in Marshall earlier this year has been found incompetent to proceed in court, and criminal proceedings against him were suspended, Lyon County court records said.

Documents filed Sept. 12 in Lyon County District Court found Robert John Duffy incompetent to proceed, due to mental illness or cognitive impairment. However, a petition was also filed in Redwood County District Court to have Duffy committed, court records said.

In Lyon County, Duffy had been charged with soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct, and disorderly conduct. A criminal complaint alleged that on May 27, Duffy approached a child in a park bathroom in Marshall and asked for sexual contact. The child texted his parents for help, and Duffy left the bathroom when the child’s mother knocked on the door, the complaint alleged.

In June, the court ordered that Duffy undergo an examination to determine whether he was competent to continue with court proceedings.

The Sept. 12 court order found Duffy incompetent, and said criminal proceedings would be suspended. The court also ordered Southwest Health and Human Services to conduct a screening and recommend whether Duffy should be civilly committed, court records said.

On Sept. 21, the court was notified that Redwood County had filed a petition to commit Duffy, court records said. Hearings were scheduled for Duffy in Redwood County District Court on Oct. 13, court records said.