A tip from the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force led city police to two local victims.
On Friday, December 15, the Sarnia Police Service was contacted by investigators about a known sex offender in Kansas that had uploaded pornographic videos of young children.
Constable John Sottosanti within a couple of days, the two Sarnia victims were identified and have been offered assistance by police, Sarnia-Lambton Children's Aid and Sarnia-Lambton Victim Services.
Sottosanti says it's a scary reminder for parents.
"This was a coordinated effort by two countries that resulted in the rare conclusion, where the victims are identified and helped," says Sottosanti. "Parents are strongly advised to communicate with their children about the dangers on the internet and the strong potential of being lured by unsavoury people. The individual on the other end can be very influential and effective and getting what he or she wants from children. It's just a good practice to know exactly what your kids are doing on their computer or whatever device they're using to access the internet."
Constable Sottosanti says the offender in the United States is known to authorities and will be dealt with according to their justice system.
The age, sex and names of the children victimized will not be released.