Child welfare caseworker caught with 800+ images of child pornography.

 Sep 02, 2015

PLEASANT HILLS, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania child welfare caseworker is under arrest after police say they turned up more than 800 child pornography images on his home computer.

Authorities in Pittsburgh charged Michael Smith on Tuesday with possession and dissemination of child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility.

The 44-year-old Pleasant Hills man was released on non-monetary bail pending a Sept. 9 hearing. Online court records don't list a lawyer to comment on the charges.

Police say Smith told them "it was a mistake" to view the images on his computer.

Smith is on unpaid leave from the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families. Officials say the allegations are not connected to his job.

Central Pennsylvania police started investigating in April after finding that child pornography was being shared by a computer believed to be Smith's.