Dog Finds Phone Man Used To Talk To Minor In South Jersey, Prosecutor Says

CAMDEN, NJ — A 36-year-old man was arrested after he tried to get a 7-year-old girl to send him nude photos of herself, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said.

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

On July 20, authorities opened a case after a 7-year-old girl reported that a man had contacted her on TikTok and by text message.

Lao sent these messages knowing the girl's age, authorities added.

He forwarded nude photos of himself to her and asked her to do the same in return.

On July 22, law enforcement searched Lao's home and found a cell phone in his bedroom with the help of K9 Officer "Rookie," a trained electronic detection dog.

The phone had been used to communicate with the girl.

Lao was arrested later that day and taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information surrounding this case or others like it is asked to contact the Camden County Prosecutor's Special Victims Unit at (856) 225-8537.

Information can also be relayed online using the CAMDEN.TIPS site.

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