A trained electronic detection dog helped Camden County law enforcement investigate a man accused of trying to obtain sexual images of a young girl.

Prosecutors say the investigation was launched on July 20 after a 7-year-old disclosed that an adult man had been sending her messages on TikTok and via text.

Officials determined that Elmer Lao, 36, sent nude videos of himself and asked the girl to send nude photographs of herself in return.

During a search of his home on July 22, a K9 located the phone used in the alleged offense inside his bedroom.

Lao is charged with attempted manufacturing of child sex abuse material and endangering the welfare of a child.

He was taken into custody and remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

The Camden County Prosecutors Office reminds the public to check their children’s social media activity and report suspicious behavior.

"Predators often use social media and messaging apps to target children, making parental involvement more important than ever,” said Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay. “I urge every parent to regularly monitor their child's messages on TikTok and other social media platforms and to have ongoing conversations about online safety and the risks of communicating with strangers."