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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – Blake Miller Barakat, 50, of Chelsea, has been arrested by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office on multiple counts of sexual abuse of a child, production of pornography with minors and the dissemination or display of pornography with minors.

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, The sheriff’s office was contacted by the Shelby County Department of Human Resources regarding a tip the DHR received about possible child sexual exploitation. The tip then led to investigators contacting Barakat who was initially arrested for one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years of age.

However, after obtaining further search warrants and coordinating with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, DHR, and Owens House Child Advocacy Center, investigators were able to obtain additional counts.

Barakat is charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years of age with an object, 10 counts of production of child pornography and ten counts of dissemination or the display of child pornography. Barakat was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Oct. 15 and currently has a total bond of $1,890,000. According to court documents, the alleged offenses occurred between Aug. 16 and Oct. 15.

The investigation is considered ongoing and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office shared that additional charges are anticipated and that there is currently one identified juvenile victim.

“This is one of the most egregious crimes our agency has investigated in some time, and I am grateful the juvenile victim is safe,” Sheriff John Samaniego said in an official press release. “I am also grateful to our investigators who must endure heartbreaking images and videos in the investigation of these heinous crimes to ensure justice is served for the victim. These cases leave a lasting impact on our law enforcement professionals and I am grateful for their tenacity to protect our children and our communities.”

Those who may have more information on the case are encouraged to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 205-670-6000 or to submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777 or online at Crimestoppersmetroal.com.