A YMCA kids' program coordinator and college student, Elijah Jacob Donato, aged 21, has been accused of sexually exploiting a child he was babysitting in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.
An initial investigation revealed that Mr. Donato allegedly sexually exploited and took indecent liberties with a young child in his care during September. The police statement provided no additional details.
Prosecutors reportedly stated in court that the child's parents discovered disturbing images on their home security camera after hiring Donato as a babysitter. They alleged that Donato coerced the child into producing explicit images.
Donato worked as a private babysitter for families in New Hanover County, and he also served as the YMCA coordinator for the after-school care program at Wrightsville Elementary School.
The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina confirmed that Donato no longer worked there as of September 28. They stated that the alleged actions did not occur in connection with any YMCA event or activity and did not take place on YMCA property.
The YMCA emphasized its strong policies for the protection of minors and mentioned that they conduct background checks on all employees. Staff members are prohibited from being alone with a child where others cannot see and observe them.
Elijah Jacob Donato is a junior majoring in "Tourism, Recreation, and Sport" at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, according to The Seahawk, the university's student newspaper.
Donato is facing charges of sexual exploitation of a minor in the first degree and indecent liberties with a child. He remains in custody with a bond set at $500,000, according to records posted by the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.
In another news, a suspected arsonist responsible for a series of fires in Iowa has been apprehended, and surprisingly, the culprit is a local firefighter. See detailed story here
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