A child luring investigation by Belleville police has led to the arrest of a Bancroft resident.
On Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, the Belleville Police Service issued a release about its investigation.
According to the release, on Nov. 20, 2024, the service received a call from a mother of an 11-year-old girl after discovering conversations, which allegedly appeared to be grooming in nature on TikTok, as well as in text messages, between her daughter and a male who appeared to be 24 years old.
Members of the service’s internet child exploitation unit started an investigation, and as a result, on Dec. 11, 2024, police said 24-year-old Travis Layzell, of Bancroft, was arrested without incident.
The accused was charged with adult luring a person under 16 years of age by telecommunications and held for a bail hearing on Dec. 12, reported police.
This charge has not been proven in court.
In the release, it states police believe that the accused may have attempted to contact other young females.
“His TikTok display name was “clean 5.3,” with the associated username of “that_stock_5.3_guy,” stated police.
Police are asking anyone with information that may assist investigators or around the identity of other victims to contact Det.-Const. Montgomery at lmontgomery@bellevilleps.ca or 613-966-0882 ext. 4186.
No other details were released by police.