ARREST MADE IN CHILD LURING INVESTIGATION
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(HALDIMAND COUNTY) - One individual has been arrested and criminally charged in relation to a child luring investigation.
In the fall of 2025, the Haldimand detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began an investigation regarding several ‘swatting’ calls for service where individuals reported an emergency which resulted in a large police response. These calls were determined to be false emergencies, and there was no threat to public safety.
Further investigation revealed a connection to these calls and one individual being involved in sexually explicit online communications with persons under 18 years of age.
On April 23, 2026, the Haldimand County OPP Major Crime Unit, with the assistance of Haldimand OPP front line officers, members of the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, OPP Digital Forensics Unit, and Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS), executed a warrant at a Hutchinson Road, Lowbanks address.
Christopher PETLEY, 27-years-old of Lowbanks has been charged with the following offences:
- Luring a Person Under 18 Years of Age by Means of Telecommunication
- Make Prints, Publishes or Possession for the Purpose of Publication of any Child Pornography (two counts)
- Resist Peace Officer
The accused remains in custody pending a bail hearing.