Former Daycare Worker Sentenced on Child Porn Charges

A former daycare worker will serve time in prison for producing child pornography.

Pamela Smallis, 51, of McKees Rocks, formerly of Moon, pleaded guilty on Aug. 7 in Allegheny Common Pleas Court to more than 20 counts of child sex abuse and related charges.

Common Pleas Judge Jill Rangos sentenced the former childcare worker to serve two to four years in prison followed by three years probation. Smallis must also register as a lifetime sex offender.

Smallis' defense attorney, Blaine Jones II said he was pleased with the outcome of the case "given the nature and severity of the charges, and the number of charges."

The former childcare worker was prosecuted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office after she was found in possession of videos and photos depicting children engaged in sex acts. 

Jones said Smallis faced "a tremendous amount of time" in prison, anywhere from 40 to 80 years. 

"In light of the charges, it was an outstanding outcome, one that we worked very hard to achieve," Jones said.

Smallis is the former owner of the Children's Palace daycare in Beaver County, which is now under new management, and the former Little Folks Daycare Center in North Fayette, which was shut down by state inspectors in Sept. 2010 for failure to comply with safety regulations, according to documents from the state Department of Public Welfare.

In April 2012, Moon Police arrested and charged her with using her children to sell drugs from her Stocker Drive home.

During the investigation, police examined a phone memory card belonging to Smallis and discovered 33 pornographic photos and two videos depicting children engaged in sexual acts.

Smallis was arrested and charged with child sex abuse in September 2012 and held on $50,000 bail.

No children who attended either of Smallis' daycare centers were involved, authorities said. 

The Charges

Guilty

13 Counts: Sexual abuse of children--Photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sexual acts 

12 Counts: Sexual abuse of children--Child pornography 

5 Counts: Endangering the welfare of children 

5 Counts: Corruption of minors

Withdrawn

25 Counts: Sexual abuse of children--Child pornography

20 Count: Sexual abuse of children--Photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sexual acts 

1 Count: Corruption of minors

16 Counts: Unlawful contact with a minor

5 Counts: Sexual exploitation of children

2 Counts: Criminal use of a communication facility

1 Count: Corruption of minors

1 Count: Obscene and other sexual materials and performances 

1 Count: Obstructing Law Enforcement

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