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Nine-year-old girl in Claremore gets inappropriate messages on app

Posted at 5:42 PM, Dec 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-14 11:25:03-05
CLAREMORE -- The internet can be a scary place as predators take different routes to prey on children. One mother in Claremore found this out for herself after her 9-year-old daughter showed her sexual messages she got from a grown man.
 
"The mother just described them as inappropriate pictures and text messages with a nine year old," said Deputy Chief Steve Cox with Claremore police.
 
These weren't direct texts from a number she knew. The two communicated on an app called Tango.
 
"They kind of pride themselves in text messaging, sending photos, sending videos so all it is, is a communication app," said Deputy Chief Cox.
 
The man also asked the girl to send him pictures in return. Officers say the mother did the right thing by contacting police.
 
"When we're talking small children I'd encourage them to be all up in their business especially if they're using special media apps," said Deputy Chief Cox.
 
This is the first case Claremore police have seen of sexting a child using the Tango app, but with a laundry list of social media apps out there, parents in the area have their guard up.
 
"It is very scary, it is concerning that people will actually do that," said Valorie Evans, who is the mother of a 4-year-old.
 
It's an alarming reality many parents have to face as the digital age keeps getting younger.
 
"My son is four and I don't think I'm going to let him have access to the internet until he's at least 13," said Evans.
 
As of now police have the girl's cell phone and are trying to identify the man who sent the inappropriate messages.

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