Authorities have federally charged the Ohio man accused of sexually assaulting a two-year-old girl last year in Parma Heights, according to reports.
In a criminal complaint filed Tuesday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said 20-year-old Conner Matthew Walker admitted on Jan. 5 to sexually assaulting the toddler.
According to court records, the crime occurred at an in-home daycare facility at 6565 Big Creek Parkway.
While police initially reported the daycare was licensed, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) said it was operating without a valid license at the time of the incident.
ODJFS said Wednesday that they have suspended the daycare provider’s license: “I can report that we have suspended that license, effective immediately, and have notified the provider of that decision.”
The complaint said Walker, who in court records has addresses listed in both Parma Heights and Rocky River, told agents he sexually assaulted the victim and recorded it on video.
It happened during the fall of 2023 when Walker and the victim were staying overnight at the daycare, according to the records.
Parma Heights police said Tuesday the 20-year-old was a family friend and often spent time there.
In addition to two videos, the complaint said Walker had three to four photographs showing him sexually assault the 2-year-old.
According to the court records, Walker also admitted that he distributed the child sex abuse material to others online.
The FBI said agents launched their investigation after out-of-country authorities flagged the video, and they used technology to identify the victim, who is now 3 years old, as being from Cleveland.
Walker is charged with sexual exploitation of children and distribution of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The 20-year-old was facing local charges before federal authorities took over the case. He appeared Wednesday in federal court.
Investigators want to talk with anyone who feels their child could be a victim.
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