A former Boston nanny charged pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges involving child pornography. Stephanie Lak, 37, of Roxbury, was arrested in April 2021 after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She was arraigned on charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of material of a child in a sex act. “Tell me in your own words why you’re here today,” Judge Michael Doolin asked Lak. “To plead guilty,” she replied. Lak was sentenced to three years in prison, then she’ll be on probation for 10 years, with restrictions that forbid her from living with, working with or being around children. Lak was arrested last year following an investigation that began with a tip to law enforcement from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.Court documents show that investigators found Lak had discussed sex acts to perform on a baby in her chats. At the time of the charges, the alleged victims were 5- and 3-year-old girls, the documents said. “The defendant initially stated that she did not know the person that shared the child pornography videos, but she then admitted – in a subsequent interview to receiving – and then resending – about 100 files of child pornography via the social media application Kik,” said Assistant District Attorney Nicole Poirier. Investigators seized a laptop and cellphone in connection to the case. They say investigators found seven videos and photos in Kik, a messaging app.If this case had gone to trial, the prosecution was planning to introduce evidence proving that Lak even sent nonsexual photos of children she was nannying for to someone she was chatting with online. Those conversations, according to the prosecution, were “some of the most grotesque online chats that the commonwealth has ever heard,” about how to sexually abuse children.Investigators reached out to parents and caretakers who may have had contact with Lak via the site Care.com.Officials previously said Lak secured employment as a nanny and caregiver through the site SitterCity.com.
A former Boston nanny charged pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges involving child pornography.
Stephanie Lak, 37, of Roxbury, was arrested in April 2021 after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She was arraigned on charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of material of a child in a sex act.
“Tell me in your own words why you’re here today,” Judge Michael Doolin asked Lak.
“To plead guilty,” she replied.
Lak was sentenced to three years in prison, then she’ll be on probation for 10 years, with restrictions that forbid her from living with, working with or being around children.
Lak was arrested last year following an investigation that began with a tip to law enforcement from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Court documents show that investigators found Lak had discussed sex acts to perform on a baby in her chats. At the time of the charges, the alleged victims were 5- and 3-year-old girls, the documents said.
“The defendant initially stated that she did not know the person that shared the child pornography videos, but she then admitted – in a subsequent interview to receiving – and then resending – about 100 files of child pornography via the social media application Kik,” said Assistant District Attorney Nicole Poirier.
Investigators seized a laptop and cellphone in connection to the case. They say investigators found seven videos and photos in Kik, a messaging app.
If this case had gone to trial, the prosecution was planning to introduce evidence proving that Lak even sent nonsexual photos of children she was nannying for to someone she was chatting with online.
Those conversations, according to the prosecution, were “some of the most grotesque online chats that the commonwealth has ever heard,” about how to sexually abuse children.
Investigators reached out to parents and caretakers who may have had contact with Lak via the site Care.com.
Officials previously said Lak secured employment as a nanny and caregiver through the site SitterCity.com.