A California nanny allegedly posted lewd pictures of a child online. Michelle Nicole Hidalgo, 28, was arrested last week after an unnamed social media company contacted police alleging Hidalgo uploaded sexually abusive images involving a young child to its site.
The social media site tipped off police about the allegedly illegal activity on September 21, and Hidalgo was arrested the next day. Sickeningly, the images were reportedly of a child Hidalgo was entrusted to care for.
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Police served a warrant to Hidalgo's home on September 22.
According to a Contra Costa District Attorney news release, "The Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served Hidalgo with a search warrant at her home and seized equipment used in the production and distribution of pornographic images of minors."
The DA's office said the images were of the child of a family for whom Hidalgo was currently employed as a part-time nanny.
The DA charged Hidalgo with multiple felonies.
The DA's release stated Hidalgo faced seven felony charges related to producing and distributing child pornography. She was taken to Contra Costa County Jail Martinez Detention Facility and held on a $700,000 bond. She appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday and was seemingly anxious, KRON reported.
Hidalgo pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the news station, Hidalgo appeared in a green jail jumpsuit and nervously examined the room while the attorneys and the judge spoke. She reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges but remains in police custody.
Deputy District Attorney Paul Graves said that if the defense argues that her bail should be lowered, his office is prepared to fight back. "Why? Because she is a danger," he claimed, per KRON.
Police are thoroughly investigating Hidalgo.
Graves told KRON there is an active probe into Hidalgo's past, trying to determine if there are other victims. "We are not sure if there are other victims, but we are looking into it," he said.
He added that the case is an excellent reminder to vet anyone caring for their children thoroughly. "It is a reminder that anyone we bring into our home, or coaches, or anyone, we have to be diligent," he said.
Hidalgo faces a prison sentence if convicted and would be required to register as a sex offender.
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A Boston nanny who faced similar charges is now in jail.
Stephanie Lak, 37, was charged with possession of child pornography and distributing material of a child in a sex act in 2021 but pleaded not guilty, according to 10 Boston. She allegedly talked about abusing children in online chat rooms and, at one point, sent a nonpornographic image of a child in her care.
A judge sentenced Lak to three years in prison in 2022, in addition to 10 years of probation and a ban from working in child care.
"These are horrible crimes, they're shocking and it's some of the worst allegations that I've heard in my career as a judge and also in my career as an attorney," Judge Michael Doolin said in court, per 10 Boston.
