Thunder Bay cyber crime investigation leads to charges

February 11, 2026

TB25028861


A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation into Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM) has led to charges.
 
Thunder Bay’s Cyber Crime Unit began the investigation on July 21, 2025, after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), via the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC).
 
Officers searched a home on Thunder Bay’s south end on November 28, 2025.
 
Several electronic devices were seized.
 
As a result of the investigation, 28-year-old Jayden Belanger from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges:
 
• Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material 
• Access any child sexual abuse and exploitation material
 
The accused has been released from custody with a future court date.
 
The Thunder Bay Police Service recognizes that parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices.
 
We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts.
 
Tips for talking to your kids can be found, and reporting of any online exploitation can also be made, at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at cybertip.ca.
 
There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children.
 
The new Talking for Change (https://talkingforchange.ca/) program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child.
 
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115.
 
Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.

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