(Update 1:15 p.m.) The Chillicothe Police Department said it is searching for a man in connection with enticing a child online.
According to the department it began Monday investigating a 41-year-old South Dakota man who was communicating with an 11-year-old Chillicothe girl over social media.
The investigation began when the child’s mother discovered her daughter was using an electronic device to talk to the man.
Police said the man provided porn and enticed the girl to engage in inappropriate conversation.
The Chillicothe Police Department said it is working closely with the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team on this investigation along with authorities in South Dakota and is in the process of obtaining the necessary information to forward the investigation on to authorities in South Dakota.
A suspect has been identified and the investigation is continuing.
The department also offers tips to families on controlling incidents similar to this one.
Children use a variety of online services, and each of these services can have different safety concerns. However, there are some basic tips which you can employ no matter how your children use the Internet.
• Keep the computer/electronic in a high-traffic area of your home.
• Establish limits for which online sites children may visit and for how long.
• Internet technology can be mobile, so make sure to monitor cell phones, gaming devices and laptops.
• Surf the Internet with your children and let them show you what they like to do online.
• Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, e-mailing, online gaming, nd using webcams.
• Continually talk with your children about online safety and monitor the electronics regularly.