CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WRMT) – The Carolina Beach Police Department arrested a 21-year-old man accused of several sex crimes involving a child.
Elijah Jacob Donato, 21, was charged by CBPD with two counts of first degree sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.
According to CBPD, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office assisted them with taking Donato into custody and transfered him to CBPD. A search warrant was done at Donato’s home where more item were seized, according to police.
During a court proceeding, the parents of the victim shared information that revealed explicit images of their child found on Saturday, Sept. 23, on their Nest camera after Donato was hired as a private babysitter.
“An initial investigation uncovered evidence that Mr. Donato sexually exploited and took indecent liberties with a young child he was babysitting earlier this week,” the CBPD announcement states.
According to CBPD, Donato worked as a private babysitter in the county and was hired as the YMCA Site Coordinator for the Afterschool Care program located at Wrightsville Beach Elementary School. As of Thursday, Sept. 28, Donato no longer works at the YMCA, according to YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina.
On Friday, Donato appeared in court for the first time and was being held under a $500,000 bond. According to police, the investigation is ongoing.
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