Experts speak out about investigating sexual abuse after child porn ring arrest

A ninth arrest in connection to a suspected child porn and abuse ring has local investigators reeling.

Battle Creek resident Donald Johnston is charged with raping a young boy numerous times over the last year. Investigators found nearly 50 pages of graphic text messages on Johnston's phone detailing his alleged abuse. Police said this multi-county child porn ring is more insidious because it's people who know each other.

In light of these disturbing accusations, news channel three spoke to a child psychologist about how to talk to your children about sensitive issues. The director of the Child Advocacy Center in Kalamazoo is sharing important information that could help you find out if your child has been abused. This is never an easy thing to talk about, but that's exactly what you need to do with your child.

This latest arrest in connection to an alleged child porn and abuse ring turned up a victim that is four years old. Sexual abuse at that age can be very hard to uncover.

"It's going to be more so about their behavior that you're looking at. You're looking at them as far as maybe bet wetting. If they are bed wetting a little bit more, if they are acting out sexually," said Joel Eisinger, director of the Child Advocacy Center.

Eisinger said the Child Advocacy Center partners with Michigan State Police to investigate child sexual abuse. He said you can find out if your young child has been abused by asking them the right questions.

"Using more open-ended questions. At 3 years old, you're going to get a lot of yes and no. And just asking them what they saw? What did they experience? Asking them what were you looking at today?" Eisinger said.

Michigan State Police said the hardest part of investigating these types of cases is establishing a relationship with the child. Getting the case to court is also a challenge.

"Sometimes it can be. A lot times we rely on, you know, sometimes there might be witnesses, DNA evidence. Sometimes getting their statement/confessions. There are a lot of factors we rely on," said MSP Sgt. Brian Kastelic,

If you sense your child has been abused, contacting a child psychologist is a good next step. Here is a link to the Child Advocacy Center's web page where you can find more information.