What is Kik and why was it involved in this case?

Kik is a messaging app that allows users to send messages and files, including videos. In this case, Davila used Kik to share illegal videos of child sexual abuse with users worldwide. Kik itself reported the activity to law enforcement, which started the investigation.

What is the NCMEC CyberTipline?

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline is the official US system for reporting child sexual abuse material and online exploitation. You can file a report at https://report.cybertip.org. Law enforcement agencies, including HSI, use these reports to open investigations.

What does 'abuse of a position of trust' mean in sentencing?

It is a legal enhancement — an extra factor that increases a prison sentence. In this case, the judge applied it because Davila was trusted by the child's mother to care for her daughter. Using that trusted role to commit the crime made the sentence longer.

How can I protect my child from online exploitation?

Lawyers and child safety experts recommend talking openly with your children about which apps they use and who they talk to online. Check privacy settings on messaging apps. If something feels wrong, report it to the NCMEC CyberTipline or call 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) — you do not need to be certain before reporting.

Kentucky Man Sentenced 34 Years for Child Abuse on Kik

Kentucky Man Gets 34 Years for Child Abuse Shared via Kik

A Kentucky man trusted to babysit a young girl used that access to abuse her — and then shared videos of the abuse with strangers around the world. On June 18, 2026, a federal judge sentenced him to 34 years in prison. The case is a reminder of how online platforms are now a key tool both for predators and for the investigators who catch them.

Today·2 min read

Caretaker Abused Child and Shared Videos Worldwide

Leandro Davila III, 31, of Newport, Kentucky, was sentenced to 408 months — about 34 years — in federal prison on June 18, 2026. Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning handed down the sentence after Davila was found guilty of producing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — illegal videos and images of children being sexually exploited.

Prosecutors said Davila abused a young girl while he was watching her as a caretaker. The girl's mother trusted him to look after her daughter while she was at work. Davila recorded the abuse and shared the videos through Kik, a messaging platform, sending the content to users around the world. He also distributed CSAM involving other children. Investigators found at least 50 explicit videos on his Kik account.

The case began in July 2025 when Kik reported the activity to law enforcement. The investigation was a joint effort by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Northern Kentucky, HSI The Hague in the Netherlands, and the Campbell County Police Department. Records from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) showed that Davila's IP address had been flagged in multiple prior reports. The judge added a sentencing enhancement because Davila abused a position of trust as the child's caretaker.

What to Do If You Suspect Child Sexual Exploitation

Call the Know2Protect Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) to report suspected online child sexual exploitation to Homeland Security Investigations.
File a report at the NCMEC CyberTipline at https://report.cybertip.org — this is the official national system for reporting CSAM and online enticement of children.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first. Do not wait to gather more information before reporting.
If you are a parent or guardian, talk to your children about safe online behavior and check which messaging apps they use, including platforms like Kik.