Beaver Township dad reports 13 year old daughter exchanged nude photos
BEAVER TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Police are investigating a complaint from a township man who says his 13-year-old daughter was exchanging nude pictures of herself with other people.
The report filed with township police last Thursday lists an address on Columbiana Canfield Road.
The report indicates that the father may know one, or more of the suspects who allegedly received the pictures.
Beaver Township Police Detective, Lt. Eric Datillo tells 21 news that it's believed that the pictures were exchanged using apps on I-Phones, I-Pads and other similar devices.
Lt. Datillo says he has seen three or four similar texting cases involving juveniles in Beaver Township this year.
"They were taking pictures of themselves, then sending them through these different phone 'chat apps," said Datillo. "And some of the problems we have found, a lot of these chat apps are based out of other countries, those other count ires do not comply with out subpoenas for requests for information so we're kind of stuck in a lot of cases."
He says the most common chat apps include, Skype, Instagram, Snap Chat and Kick.
According to Datillo, preliminary evidence indicates that the recipients of the pictures are three male juveniles; one from Salem and two others from Columbiana County.
No charges have been filed. Lt. Datillo says the girl's phone has been turned over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation which will analyze it's contents.
Under Ohio law, it is illegal to use minors in performances or material involving nudity. Datillo says that the law could allow charges to be brought against the sender and recipients of such material.
"These crimes are felonies," said Datillo. "Some of them even label you as a sex offender."
He notes that the local high school held a seminar to inform young girls of the consequences of sexting.
Dr. Deirdre Adduci with PsyCare in Austintown says many parents are concerned about "sexting."
She explains teens tend to have poor impulse control and will send the photos for instant gratification, with little thought to the consequence.
"We really need to be aware if the adolescent is responsible enough to have a cellular phone because the cellular phone allows them to be more impulsive because if they feel something, think something they can send it out an instantaneously it goes out to their peers, to other people," said Adduci.
She suggests parents let their children know they will randomly check their cell phones and devices. She adds it's important to find a balance between recognizing a child's privacy, while guiding them through an ever-changing digital world.
