Police: K-9 finds hidden cellphone in Camden man’s child sex exploitation case

⚠️ Camden police charged a 36-year-old man after a 7-year-old reported receiving messages on TikTok.

➡️ Investigators say a K-9 trained to detect electronics found the cellphone tied to the case.

🔴 Prosecutors urged parents to monitor children's social media and discuss online safety.

CAMDEN — A local man is accused of pressuring a 7-year-old girl to send him sexually explicit photos after chatting on a popular social media platform.

Elmer Lao was arrested after a dog trained in electronic detection found a cellphone stashed in the 36-year-old Camden resident’s bedroom, police said.

Lao was charged with second-degree attempted manufacturing of child sexual abuse material and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Camden County criminal charges

Investigators say TikTok messages led to the arrest

On July 20, investigators were contacted about the young girl who said that a man had started sending her messages on TikTok and by text message.

Two days later, the K9 named Rookie found a cell phone during a search of Lao’s home.

Investigators said that the phone was found to be the one that Lao used to send nude videos of himself to the victim — while requesting that the girl send nude photos of herself back.

Read More: Cops say civilian NJ predator social media sting backfired

a cell phone sitting next to a keyboard

Camden prosecutor urges parents to monitor social media

"Predators often use social media and messaging apps to target children, making parental involvement more important than ever,”Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. 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."

Lao was being held at Camden County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jessica Minniti of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 856-225-8537.

Tips may also be sent by text to CAMDEN.TIPS.

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