In a shocking turn of events, a Missouri deputy sheriff and his 911 dispatcher wife have gone from public servants to defendants facing serious charges. The couple, David and Carly Blankinship, were arrested in late May 2023 for attempted sexual trafficking of a child under 12 and attempted use of a child in a sexual performance.
The investigation began in March 2023 when the Missouri State Highway Patrol received information about a social media account that had uploaded a video file suspected to be child pornography. The account was allegedly associated with 39-year-old David Blankinship. As investigators delved deeper, they discovered disturbing conversations between him and his 28-year-old wife, Carly, on various platforms, including TikTok DMs.
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These conversations, according to authorities, revealed a sinister plot by the couple to traffic a child for the purpose of producing and selling sexually explicit content. The Blankinships allegedly discussed drugging and engaging in sexual acts with a minor, filming it, and then distributing the videos. They also reportedly shared videos of young girls they found attractive and discussed their sexual fantasies involving children under 14.
The investigation suggests that the couple was actively seeking local children to exploit. Attorney and former prosecutor Paul, who reviewed the case, noted that while the charges are for attempted crimes, the evidence strongly indicates that the couple took substantial steps towards carrying out their plan.
The case highlights the growing problem of online child exploitation. As Paul points out, social media platforms and other online spaces can be used to groom and exploit children, and parents need to be vigilant about their children’s online activity. Open communication, parental controls, and education are crucial to protecting children from online predators.
David and Carly Blankinship are currently being held without bond. They are scheduled to appear in court on June 11th. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, as the couple were entrusted with positions of public safety. It serves as a stark reminder that predators can exist in any profession and that protecting children requires a collective effort.
