NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The TBI has an important warning for parents to make sure you know what your children are doing online and on social media.
Over the past three months, the TBI has been working on a three-month long operation investigating child exploitation cases.
It's called Operation Protecting Tomorrow. They found 18 known child victims of sextortion in Tennessee and one in Alabama. The victims were between the ages of 11 and 17, but the TBI is still working to identify and find 22 more children who they know were also victimized.
Agents have arrested twelve men so far and say more arrests could be coming.
"Kids are using electronic devices and the internet more and more, and the predators know it. As a parent myself, I get it. It's hard enough to raise and protect our children in the real world, yet now we have to do the same in the digital world. We as parents need to know what apps our children are using and know what our kids are doing online," said TBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Rob Burghardt.
The TBI has more information on online dangers and sextortion on their website.
This is a beautiful story of chosen family, proving a father figure doesn't have to have biology in common to make a difference in a child's life. The story of De'Andre and Alex will remind you that our relationships help determine the course of our lives. And that being supportive of someone - through a meal, a shared experience or even swim lessons can make all the difference.
- Rebecca Schleicher
