Paediatric nurse arrested for 'possessing and selling' sick child abuse videos

A paediatric nurse has been accused of possessing, selling and trading child abuse videos. Blade Rogers, 29, was arrested after allegedly carrying it out online on an instant messaging app that allows users to communicate using usernames instead of phone numbers. The former employee at Presbyterian Hospital in downtown Albuquerque, in New Mexico, US, was arrested last Thursday (April 2) and booked into a Metropolitan Detention Center.

He has reportedly been charged with possession of a visual medium of sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 13. Rogers was due to appear before a judge on Thursday but the hearing was postponed for medical reasons. Court documents reportedly say the investigation began in early February after Kik, the messaging app allegedly used by Rogers, alerted the New Mexico Department of Justice that a user had sent or received child abuse videos.

The documents reportedly note Kik’s anonymity-focused set-up, explaining that, “a username is the only unique identifier in their system and is the only way to identify a unique Kik account”. Kik recorded an IP address linked to the reported activity, which investigators say was traced to Comcast Cable, KOAT Action 7 News reported. Following a grand jury subpoena, Comcast provided subscriber information, including an address, phone number and Google email address, which agents say led them to Rogers.

According to the criminal complaint, Kik reported that the account had sent multiple videos of child sexual abuse. Investigators reportedly say the clips ranged from around nine seconds to more than a minute, and allegedly showed children “ranging in age from about five-years-old to roughly 13-years-old”. Law enforcement believe the account was used to trade and sell the explicit videos with other users.

It is alleged that multiple messages were uncovered between Rogers’ account and unknown individuals. Federal agents carried out a search warrant at Rogers’ home and examined his phone in early April, court records state. Rogers allegedly told agents he used several social media apps, but did not mention Kik.

Investigators claimed the Kik app was found on his device and a child abuse video was viewed within it. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said: "

It is deeply disturbing to learn that an individual entrusted to work with children is accused of possessing such illegal material. While every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, the circumstances surrounding this arrest shake the sense of trust that families place in those who care for their kids. "

Our office will continue to act swiftly and decisively whenever that trust is betrayed, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to protecting the safety and dignity of every child in New Mexico." Rogers has since been dismissed from his role, with the hospital saying it became aware of the arrest on Thursday. Presbyterian spokesperson Kourtney Munoz said: ”

We learned yesterday about this individual's arrest and these deeply disturbing allegations. Our priority is the safety of our patients and the well-being of our team. “The individual is no longer employed by Presbyterian. We will work closely with law enforcement during its investigation." For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star,