Victoria Anne Cranmer, a 25-year-old babysitter from New Jersey, has been arrested on charges including sexual assault on a child, endangering the welfare of a child, creating child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material. The charges stem from a disturbing 14-second video found on a smartphone, allegedly showing Cranmer engaging in a sex act with a toddler wearing a nappy.
According to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by Jersey Shore Online, the video was discovered by Cranmer's former roommate, referred to as 'Ms P' in court documents. Ms P had given Cranmer a new iPhone as a birthday present in April. After growing concerned about Cranmer's mental health, Ms P asked her to move out and leave the phone behind. Upon retrieving the phone, Ms P found the video saved in Cranmer's Snapchat memories.
Video Evidence and Identification
The 14-second clip allegedly depicts Cranmer sitting on a toilet with her genitals exposed while the child touches her. Cranmer can be heard laughing during the recording, according to the affidavit. Cranmer was identified in the video by distinctive tattoos, including the words 'boobs,' a lightning bolt, and a mushroom on her legs, as well as a tattoo on her hip.
Ms P, reportedly 'freaked out' by the discovery, saved the video to prevent its deletion, logged out of Cranmer's Snapchat account, and handed the phone over to investigators. Authorities secured search warrants for Cranmer's mobile phone and Snapchat account on May 28 and found additional videos allegedly saved in her account.
Victim and Prior Care
Court documents, heavily censored, indicate that the child was wearing nappies and was just 2 years old at the time of the offences in May. The victim's mother, referred to as 'Ms H,' told police that Cranmer had previously babysat her son. Ms H noted that her son had been acting oddly after spending time with Cranmer, specifically that he no longer seemed fond of the bathtub. Investigators reported that Ms H discovered Cranmer had bathed herself with the boy.
Cranmer also provided childcare for Ms P's daughter. The charges suggest that the defendant was 23 years older than the victim, implying the child's age.
Legal Proceedings
Cranmer was arrested on July 8 and is due to appear in court for a detention hearing on July 14. The hearing will determine whether she will be held in jail without bail pending trial. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of childcare providers and the use of social media to store illegal content.
