10 Sextortion Cases With Child Victims Reported To HoCo Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — An estimated 10 cases of sextortion have been reported to the Howard County Police Department in the past 10 months involving Howard County children and teenagers, including a 9-year-old. Police urged parents to talk with their children about the dangers of being online and encourage them to monitor their kids' devices and usage.

Sherry Llewellyn, spokesperson for the Howard County Police Department, told Patch that of the almost dozen cases reported to the department, children and teenagers were encouraged to share explicit photos and videos. While threatening action for the photos and videos, the kids are offered payment. The methods of payment for these "sextortion" materials range from cash apps to gaming sites, gift cards and have involved physical threats to those who don't comply, Llewellyn said.

"We absolutely want anyone who may have been a victim of this type of crime to come forward. If you suspect your child has been the victim of sextortion or child pornography, or uncover anything suggesting they may have been targeted for something similar, contact the Howard County Police Department," she said.

Warning signs that youths may be being lured into something awry include anyone who invites them into a private chat or asks for photos or videos.

"Often, the offender is posing as another child or teen, which increases the victim’s comfort level. Remind your child never to share pictures or videos, which will remain online forever if they are posted by another user," Llewellyn said.

Parents should try to closely monitor the computer and cell phone apps their children are using. Some apps store photos and videos in a way that makes them difficult for parents to find, she advised.

"Child predators use the internet as a convenient and anonymous way gain access to children when they think parents aren’t looking, so it’s important to be active in monitoring your child’s use of the internet and talk to them about how to stay safe," Llewellyn said.

The Howard County Police Department can be reached at 410-313-2200.

For more information and resources, contact The Listening Place: Howard County Child Advocacy Center at 410-313-2630.