Prosecutors Allege Suspect Used TikTok & Text Messages To Solicit Explicit Images From A 7-Year-Old Girl
Saturday, August 1, 2026, 9:00 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
CAMDEN, NJ.- A Camden County, New Jersey, man has been arrested and charged following an investigation into allegations that he used social media and text messaging to solicit sexually explicit photographs from a 7-year-old girl, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay announced.
Elmer Lao, 36, of Camden, New Jersey, has been formally charged with second-degree Attempted Manufacturing of Child Sexual Abuse Material and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
According to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, the investigation began on Monday, July 20, 2026, after a 7-year-old girl disclosed that an adult male had begun communicating with her through the social media platform TikTok before continuing those conversations through text messages.
The investigation was conducted by Detectives assigned to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit and High Tech Crimes Unit.
Authorities allege that investigators identified the suspect as Elmer Lao during the course of the investigation. Prosecutors stated that Lao knowingly engaged in messaging conversations with the child after learning that she was seven years old.
According to the criminal allegations, Lao sent nude videos of himself to the victim and requested that she send nude photographs of herself in return. Prosecutors allege those communications formed the basis of the criminal charges filed against him.
As part of the investigation, Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant at Lao's residence on July 22, 2026.
During the search, K9 Rookie, a specially trained electronic detection dog, located a cellular telephone concealed inside the defendant's bedroom. According to investigators, a forensic examination determined that the phone had been used to communicate with the child.
Lao was taken into custody that same day without incident and transported to the Camden County Correctional Facility, where he was remanded pending a detention hearing.
Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay said the investigation serves as another reminder of the risks children face while using social media platforms and messaging applications.
"Predators often use social media and messaging apps to target children, making parental involvement more important than ever," Prosecutor MacAulay said. "I urge every parent to regularly monitor their child's messages on TikTok and other social media platforms and to have ongoing conversations about online safety and the risks of communicating with strangers."
Law enforcement officials continue to encourage parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children regarding online activity, reminding families that predators frequently exploit social media, messaging applications, and online gaming platforms to establish contact with minors.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Jessica Minniti of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit at (856) 225-8537. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through CAMDEN.TIPS.
The investigation remains active.
Editor's Note:
This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on information released by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Criminal charges are accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.