A 39-year-old man in Gandía is in pre-trial detention after police found sexual images of his baby and his partner’s underage daughter. The case exposes serious risks in online child protection and highlights the role of cybercrime units.
Police in Gandía have arrested a 39-year-old man after discovering that he shared sexual images of his baby and secretly distributed photos of his partner’s underage daughter on pedophile forums. The National Police’s Central Cybercrime Unit led the operation. The case has unsettled the local community and drawn attention to the ongoing risks of online child exploitation.
The investigation began in August, when cybercrime officers found disturbing images of a baby, less than a year old, circulating in illegal online spaces. They also uncovered street photos of a teenage girl posted alongside messages from a man describing abuse and drugging. Details in the images led investigators to a neighborhood in Gandía, where the backgrounds matched local streets. La Vanguardia reported that the suspect had previous convictions for similar crimes in 2014 and 2023, making the case especially urgent.
Spanish prosecutors reported a record 865 criminal procedures related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in 2025, reflecting a impressive rise in such cases nationwide.
Police soon identified the suspect, a Spanish national with a record of similar offenses. On September 1, officers found him hiding in a wardrobe at his partner’s home, wearing the same shorts seen in the abuse images. They also located the exact spot in the house where the photos had been taken, confirming his connection to the material. He is now in pre-trial detention, charged with producing and distributing child sexual abuse material, as well as violating privacy laws. Regional media report that these charges could lead to severe penalties.
The case took another turn when the partner’s daughter, about 16, told police she had never been abused or drugged. She was unaware that intimate photos had been taken or shared. Investigators described the suspect’s fixation on her as obsessive and dangerous. In some images, the girl is seen holding the baby, which helped police link the two victims and advance the case. Her statement clarified that, despite the existence of illicit images, she had not suffered direct physical abuse, a detail included in official reports.
Authorities charged the man with producing and distributing child pornography, as well as violating privacy laws. He remains in pre-trial detention. The operation shows how Spain’s cybercrime units can track offenders who use digital anonymity to target minors. It also raises concerns about the safety of children in blended families and the risks posed by repeat offenders with access to vulnerable victims.
Spanish prosecutors have separately warned about the unpredictable risks posed by artificial intelligence in the creation and distribution of child sexual abuse material. This concern is driving increased focus and resource allocation to cybercrime units across Spain as authorities adapt to new technological threats in child protection.
As the legal process continues, the case highlights the need for constant vigilance and strong digital monitoring. The National Police’s quick response prevented further harm and showed the value of specialized units in protecting minors. Spain has seen a rise in cyber-enabled crimes against children, leading authorities to invest in better detection and intervention tools. The Gandía case illustrates that offenders may reoffend after prior convictions if not closely monitored. As seen in previous investigations, gaps in oversight and enforcement can have serious consequences. Digital vigilance and swift law enforcement remain impressive in protecting vulnerable children.
