Scioto County deputies are investigating a disturbing sex crime involving a minor—one that law enforcement says is becoming far too common and can have deadly consequences if it goes unchecked.
According to deputies, a child was contacted on Snapchat by an adult male who persuaded the minor to send inappropriate images. After receiving the pictures, the man allegedly threatened the child, saying that if more explicit images were not sent, he would post the photos publicly and send them to the child’s family.
Police took information for a report and began an investigation.
What Is Sextortion—and Why It’s So Dangerous
This crime is known as sextortion, and investigators say it often follows a chillingly similar pattern:
- An adult targets a child online
- Gains trust through social media, messaging apps, or online games
- Coerces the child into sending images
- Then uses fear, shame, and threats to demand more
Victims are told their lives will be ruined, their families embarrassed, or their photos shared with friends and schools.
Law enforcement stresses that boys and girls are both targeted—often teenagers, but sometimes children even younger. In recent years, authorities across the country have linked multiple youth suicides to sextortion cases, where victims felt trapped and saw no way out.
How Predators Find Kids
These offenders don’t just show up in one place. Deputies warn that predators commonly:
- Meet kids through social media apps
- Pose as teens or young adults
- Target children in online games, chats, and comment sections
- Move conversations quickly to private messages
Once images are sent—even once—the threats often begin.
What Parents and Kids Need to Know
Deputies urge families to talk openly about online safety and watch for warning signs, including:
- Sudden panic over phones or messages
- Fear of getting in trouble
- Withdrawal, anxiety, or secrecy
- Requests for money or frantic behavior
Police stress this message to kids:
If someone threatens you online, you are not in trouble. The person threatening you is committing a crime.
What To Do If It Happens
If sextortion is suspected:
- Stop engaging immediately
- Do not send more images
- Preserve messages and usernames
- Contact law enforcement right away
Experts say early reporting can stop the abuse, prevent images from spreading, and help protect other children from being targeted by the same offender.
Deputies say cases like this are a sobering reminder that the internet is not just a playground—it can also be a hunting ground. Awareness, communication, and swift reporting can make the difference between stopping a predator and letting a child suffer in silence.