Baldwin County teachers learn how to spot child predators

Yahoo

2 days ago

ROBERTSDALE, Ala. (WKRG) — Teachers were the students in a Baldwin County classroom as they learned how child predators operate.
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'I work these cases more often than not,' HSI Special Agent and instructor Kent Blacklidge said.
He says they usually start with a photo on a phone, a chat on social media, or an online game.
'The majority of the targets have been teenagers, but that's not to say there haven't been much, much younger,' he said.
Cyber tips originating from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for Baldwin County show a disturbing trend.
In 2023, there were 85 tips. 84 cases were cleared by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, with 18 arrests. Last year, there were 82 tips. 78 cases were cleared with 11 arrests.
This year, there has been 44 tips, 21 cases cleared, five arrests, and 23 still active.
'Just hearing the numbers was very sad to hear and kind of understanding more how the AI is coming more into playing roles is scary,' Kaelin Dawson, softball coach at Robertsdale High School, said.
The lesson, according to Blacklidge, is that anything shared privately online has an eternal footprint and can be used against you.
'I am glad to hear there is a program to help prevent on the front end and educate these kids so they know what they are doing before they press any buttons,' Daphne High School Health Science teacher Lannah Saine said.
Blacklidge told the teachers that anyone who requests videos, pictures, or eventually to meet in person is considered a red flag that a child predator could be at the other end of the conversation.
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'The sooner you get law enforcement involved, the more likely it is there is a positive outcome.'
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