Photographer For 'Kids Corner' Events Facing Child Porn Charges

A volunteer photographer for the Kids Corner show on XPN has been arrested on child pornography charges.

Mark Wilkens, 57, of Philadelphia allegedly attempted to capture sexually explicit photos of children as young as 2 during Kids Corner events at the Franklin Institute, Morris Arboretum and the Camden Children’s Garden, Philly.com reported.

He faces five counts of manufacturing and attempting to manufacture child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography, which he downloaded online, NJ.com reported.

Prosecutors say Wilkens attempted to focus on the genital area when he took photographs of children changing their clothes at various water events or when parents were changing their diapers, according to Philly.com.

XPN released the following statement on the charges:

“We were shocked and appalled to learn that a photographer who volunteered at WXPN from time to time has been charged with this crime. We have taken this matter extremely seriously and have worked diligently to assist the police with the investigation.”