A child-exploitation investigation in Middletown turned deadly Tuesday evening after police say they heard gunfire from inside a bedroom while serving a search warrant on Erie Avenue.
Officers with the Middletown Division of Police were executing the warrant in the 2300 block of Erie Avenue as part of an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation when they reported hearing two gunshots from a bedroom in the home. After securing two other adults who complied with commands and exited the residence, officers found an individual inside with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the department.
Middletown Fire Department medics pronounced the person dead at the scene. No additional injuries were reported.
In a "For Immediate Release" post on its Facebook page, the Middletown Division of Police said the search warrant was tied to an ongoing ICAC probe and stressed that the investigation remains active. The release listed Detectives Patrick Glassburn at (513) 425-7724 ([email protected]) and Gary Bender at (513) 425-7735 ([email protected]) as contacts for anyone with information.
Scene and initial findings
According to the department’s written account, "Officers heard 'two gunshots from within a bedroom' while executing the warrant, and after making contact with an adult male and an adult female who complied and exited the residence, officers located 'an individual suffering from an apparent self‑inflicted gunshot wound to the head.'"
Middletown Fire Department medics pronounced the person deceased at the scene. Police have not yet released the name of the deceased or information about any potential criminal charges connected to the ICAC investigation.
How ICAC investigations proceed
Internet Crimes Against Children investigations are handled by specially trained teams that work across local, state, and federal agencies. These cases often begin with tips submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, then move to ICAC task forces for follow-up.
The ICAC Task Force program provides training and technical assistance to investigators and was established to address the rise in online exploitation of minors. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention maintains an overview of the program through OJJDP.
What investigators are asking
Authorities are asking anyone who noticed activity in or near the 2300 block of Erie Avenue on Tuesday evening, captured video in the area, or has information about online conduct related to the case to contact the detectives named in the department’s release.
Tips can be shared by phone or email with Detectives Glassburn and Bender, and the department says it intends to follow up on leads as the probe moves forward.
Legal and investigative status
The Middletown Division of Police has said the Internet Crimes Against Children investigation remains active and has not announced any arrests or charges at this time. The department stated it will release additional information as investigators and medical examiners complete their work.
