Investigators in Brevard County say other teenagers helped rescue a girl from an unsafe situation. Officials said a teenage girl hadn’t been home in three weeks and photos of her posted online made those following her worried.”We actually got multiple tips, so we had tips from relatives and tips from some juveniles who had seen some questionable material on social media, specifically Snapchat,” Lt. Chris Imel said.Officers found out where she might have been staying and who she could have been with. The information brought authorities to a hotel off Interstate 95 in Cocoa. Imel with the Palm Bay Police Department said 25-year-old Temron McFarlane was arrested. Authorities say they found explicit photos and videos of the two which are considered child pornography. Arrest documents allege the photos and videos were being used to make money online. The same affidavit also states McFarlane admitted he knew the girl was underage and should’ve been in a guardian’s care. He now faces several charges including sexual battery on someone under the age of 16. “I can’t say thank you enough to everybody who did, unfortunately, see these things and step forward, but thank God they did. We were able to get this juvenile out of a bad situation and hopefully safeguard her for the future,” Imel said.The Department of Children and Families reported the girl will get counseling because what she went through could cause permanent trauma. “You need to pay attention to what’s going on with your children’s social media accounts. A lot of times, especially with Snapchat and other venues, they could have one social profile, but then have 20 you don’t see,” Imel said.
Investigators in Brevard County say other teenagers helped rescue a girl from an unsafe situation.
Officials said a teenage girl hadn’t been home in three weeks and photos of her posted online made those following her worried.
“We actually got multiple tips, so we had tips from relatives and tips from some juveniles who had seen some questionable material on social media, specifically Snapchat,” Lt. Chris Imel said.
Officers found out where she might have been staying and who she could have been with. The information brought authorities to a hotel off Interstate 95 in Cocoa.
Imel with the Palm Bay Police Department said 25-year-old Temron McFarlane was arrested.
Authorities say they found explicit photos and videos of the two which are considered child pornography.
Arrest documents allege the photos and videos were being used to make money online.
The same affidavit also states McFarlane admitted he knew the girl was underage and should’ve been in a guardian’s care.
He now faces several charges including sexual battery on someone under the age of 16.
“I can’t say thank you enough to everybody who did, unfortunately, see these things and step forward, but thank God they did. We were able to get this juvenile out of a bad situation and hopefully safeguard her for the future,” Imel said.
The Department of Children and Families reported the girl will get counseling because what she went through could cause permanent trauma.
“You need to pay attention to what’s going on with your children’s social media accounts. A lot of times, especially with Snapchat and other venues, they could have one social profile, but then have 20 you don’t see,” Imel said.
