The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, Digital Forensics Unit and Southern Georgian Bay Detachment members have arrested and charged a Brock Township resident following a child sexual exploitation investigation.
On August 24, 2022, police executed a search warrant in the community of Beaverton and seized a quantity of electronic devices. As a result of this investigation, Theodore Dekkema, 59 years of age, was arrested and charged on March 14, 2023, with Possession of Child Pornography.
The accused was released from custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear on April 18, 2023, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia.
Children are our most valuable and precious members of society. Many victims of child sexual abuse are so young that they cannot tell their story. Every time an image or video depicting that abuse is shared, that child is re-victimized.
The OPP will continue to aggressively identify and pursue individuals who use technology to exploit children. Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with their children regarding Internet safety. Parents can find resources to assist them at cybertip.ca or protectchildren.ca.
If you have information regarding internet child exploitation and wish to provide information anonymously you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Reporting information may also be made on the internet through cybertip.ca.
