64 people charged in Ontario child exploitation investigations

Ontario Provincial Police say 64 people have been arrested and a combined 348 charges have been laid in connection with a series of child exploitation investigations that spanned across the province.

Ontario Provincial Police say 64 people have been arrested and a combined 348 charges have been laid in connection with a series of child exploitation investigations that spanned across the province.

OPP released numbers and details of the investigations during a conference in Scarborough Wednesday morning.

Two people from Guelph, one from Kitchener, three from Cambridge and one from Fergus are among the 64 people charged.

Provincial investigations began on Feb. 19 and ended on Feb. 29 where investigators identified and arrested those making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

Police say the majority of the investigation was "reactive," with investigators responding to complaints from different electronic service providers.

As a result of the investigation, 34 victims were identified and 607 electronic devices were seized.

The identified victims were provided victim support and 30 of the children impacted were “safeguarded”, an action focused on ensuring that children are protected and removed from dangerous situations where they could be harmed.