A man from Ohio, aged 32, has been accused of engaging a 10-year-old girl from Manitoba in sending sexually explicit images and videos, according to the RCMP. Cpl. Emmie Clements from the Manitoba Integrated Child Exploitation Unit highlighted the dangers posed by online predators and individuals with malicious intent towards young and vulnerable individuals during a press briefing on Monday.
In December 2025, the girl’s family member contacted the police after discovering messages exchanged with someone pretending to be a teenage boy. The man initiated contact through a popular social media platform before transitioning to direct text messaging. While the RCMP did not disclose the platform, documents from U.S. courts suggest it was Snapchat.
The man manipulated the girl into sending explicit images and videos of herself, while reciprocating with similar content, as stated by Clements. The duration of their communication remains unknown to the authorities.
Clements emphasized that responsibility lies with individuals exhibiting harmful intentions rather than solely blaming the platform. She warned that all social media platforms can pose risks to children, stressing the importance of vigilance and education for parents and caregivers.
The suspect was located with the assistance of Homeland Security investigators at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. Cortney Arden Wise III was apprehended in Wadsworth, Ohio, on February 12, where law enforcement officials seized electronic devices containing incriminating messages with the girl. Wise faces charges related to sexual exploitation of minors, receiving explicit images involving minors, and possessing child pornography.
Wise remains in U.S. custody pending further investigation, with authorities suspecting the possibility of additional victims. Notably, he is not currently facing charges in Canada. Court documents from a detention hearing revealed that Wise pretended to be a 15-year-old boy during the interactions.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils lurking online, especially for young individuals, as stressed by Clements. Lindsay Lobb, the Director of Support Services Operations at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, highlighted the escalating reports of online luring incidents, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to safeguard children in digital spaces.
Lobb underscored the necessity of enhanced protection measures and shared responsibility among stakeholders, including parents, to mitigate risks associated with online interactions. She criticized the lack of regulation and oversight on social media platforms, calling for a reevaluation of the existing safety mechanisms.
In conclusion, the incident involving the Ohio man and the Manitoba girl sheds light on the urgent need for proactive measures to ensure online safety for children and teenagers.