(Exeter, ON) – Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, Digital Forensics Unit and Huron County Detachment have arrested and charged an Exeter resident following an online child sexual exploitation investigation.
On November 22, 2022, police executed a search warrant at a home in Exeter and seized several electronic devices. As a result of this investigation, on December 14, 2022, Matthew KENNEDY, 36-years-old, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Possession of Child Pornography, as per section 163.1(4); and,
- Making Available Child Pornography, as per section 163.1(3).
The accused was released from custody following a bail hearing with a scheduled court appearance early next year.
Children are our most valuable and precious members of society. Many victims of child sexual abuse are so young that they cannot tell their story. Every time an image or video depicting that abuse is shared, that child is re-victimized.
Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children by speaking about internet safety. The “Child Sexual Abuse – It Is Your Business” brochure is valuable resource and available at protectchildren.ca. Additional resources can be found at cybertip.ca.
Police are asking anyone who may have information regarding this investigation or any incidences of internet child exploitation, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or report at cybertip.ca. If wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
