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Catawba Co. child porn case leads to rescue of girl in South Africa

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A child porn case in Catawba County led authorities to a home in South Africa, where authorities discovered a 14-year-old girl was being sexually assaulted by her parents, according to investigators.

The State Bureau of Investigations said its investigation started in North Charleston, S.C., where the national Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received information about a North Carolina man who was allegedly soliciting someone to engage in sex acts with his 6-year-old niece. The SBI said that information led to a man in Catawba County, who was found to be in possession of child porn.

Agents examined the suspect’s cellphone and learned he was paying for, and receiving, sexually explicit images from an individual in South Africa, authorities said. Homeland Security Investigations in Charlotte traced the instant messaging activity, tracked the transfer of funds and located an address in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

“This investigation highlights the far-reaching effects of criminal activity through the internet,” said SBI Director Robert Schurmeier. “Reaching across the continents, law-enforcement agencies can combat crimes and rescue innocent victims.”

HIS and South African Police Service located a 14-year-old girl Tuesday; according to investigators, she told officials her parents were sexually assaulting her and producing pictures and videos of the activity.

The teenager’s mother confessed to law enforcement that she and her husband repeatedly produced child pornography and sexually assaulted her.

The 14-year-old and her two younger brothers were removed from their home and placed in protective custody. The parents were charged with numerous crimes related to the production of child pornography, sexual assault, rape and abuse of the child.

“When partners from local, state, federal and international agencies work together to combat crimes that cross jurisdictional lines, rescues like this one are possible,” Schurmeier said.