OPP charge Leeds County girls for distributing child exploitation materials

An OPP cruiser is pictured in this undated photo. (Source: OPP Central Region)

Two minors from Leeds County have been charged for allegedly distributing child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM).

Ontario Provincial Police say it began an investigating on March 31 after intimate images of a young person were reported to school administration.

As a result of the investigation, two girls under the age of 18 were each charged with one count of distributing or possessing CSAEM and one charge of distributing an image without consent.

The suspects cannot be named as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

OPP say five other youths have been charged with similar offences in recent weeks in Leeds County.

“The OPP urges parents and guardians to educate youth about the importance and consequences of taking, sending and receiving intimate images,” police said in a news release Monday.

“Members of the OPP will be attending local schools to provide education and presentations on this topic.”

The accused in this case were both released from custody and are scheduled to appear in a Brockville courtroom at a later date.

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