A North Huntingdon man is free on $25,000 bail after authorities said he instructed a 7-year-old girl to take an inappropriate photo of herself on his cell phone while they were at a Bible study.
Allegheny County Police said they are are trying to identify several other girls who were found in photographs on the cellphone belonging to Michael James McFarland, 21. The girls were depicted in various states of undress, investigators said.
McFarland was arrested last week on charges of unlawful contact, criminal solicitation, child pornography, criminal use of a communication facility and corruption of minors. Police reported receiving a ChildLine report March 11 in connection with the Jan. 31 incident at a home in South Park.
During a search of McFarland’s phone, police found 11 photographs of seven girls. Detectives haven’t been able to identify them. Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
McFarland is scheduled for a preliminary hearing May 29. His attorney declined to comment.
