A Baldwin-Whitehall School District custodian has been apprehended on charges related to the possession of child pornography, following an investigation triggered by cyber tips received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Michael Siar, 55, is now facing 22 counts of child pornography possession and three counts of criminal use of a communication facility.
As WPXI reported, the Whitehall Police were alerted on April 23 about these cyber tips. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, to swiftly execute a search warrant at Siar's residence in May. It was during this raid that several electronic devices were seized, which were found to quickly contain a myriad of child sex abuse material.
Following a four-month forensic examination, authorities reported finding thousands of photos and videos of young children engaged in various sexual acts on the devices. Siar was placed on administrative leave from the school district on the day the search warrant was served, and officials have stated that they do not believe there is a direct link between his employment at the district and the material discovered on his devices.
In a related coverage, WTAE detailed that, despite the disturbing allegations, Siar was released on non-monetary bail after his arrest by the Whitehall Police Department today. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details will emerge as the case continues to develop.
