Latvian police detain mother and man over child exploitation in pornographic material

Latvia's State Police are investigating a criminal case involving the exploitation of a minor in the production and distribution of pornographic material. Two people have been detained in connection with the case — the child's mother and a man to whom she allegedly sold the material.

How the case came to light

Police learned of the suspected crime on February 27 this year, when a woman approached the Western Zemgale precinct to report that her granddaughter's mother might be encouraging, involving or forcing the child to take part in producing pornographic content. Police immediately opened a criminal case, which was later taken over by the unit combating organized and serial crime.

The suspects

The investigation established that the suspect is the child's mother, born in 1994. According to information gathered by police, she used her minor child to create such material out of financial motives and then sold it to a man born in 1980, knowing what purpose he intended to use it for.

The man was detained on September 8, and a court ordered him held in custody. He appealed the decision, but on September 21 the Zemgale Regional Court upheld the ruling. The child's mother was detained on September 10 and likewise placed in custody. Police noted that the woman had previously come to the attention of law enforcement.

Possible penalty

The criminal proceedings were opened over inducing, involving, forcing or using a person under sixteen years of age to take part in producing pornographic material. Latvian law provides for a prison sentence of three to twelve years for such a crime, along with probationary supervision. The investigation is ongoing, and both individuals are presumed innocent until a final court ruling takes effect.