Ponte Vedra Beach babysitter investigated for sexual exploitation of 4-year-old

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies are investigating whether a teenage babysitter facing child pornography charges sexually exploited a 4-year-old child, officials said.

Neal Buckles, 19, was arrested Thursday on two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of transmission of child pornography.

St. Johns County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Action News Jax on Monday that the agency is investigating whether Buckles sexually exploited a 4-year-old child.

No charges have been filed but deputies said they believe a 4-year-old child was photographed by Buckles.

The child is not a member of The Church of Eleven22 or its daycare, where Buckles was a former employee.

Investigators have seized Buckles' computer and are doing forensics.

Buckles' father stepped down from his position as a church elder board member at The Church of Eleven22 after his son was charged.

Buckles’ father said he had no comment on his son’s charges of transmission and possession of child pornography.

A University of North Florida representative confirmed that Buckles lives on campus, but his arrest report said he emailed photos of young boys engaged in sexual activity from a computer at his parents’ home in Ponte Vedra Beach. His arrest report said the boys appeared to be between the ages of 5 and 10.

Buckles bonded out of jail on Friday afternoon after a judge set his bond at $22,500 with the conditions that he cannot access the internet and or have unsupervised contact with children.

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