Babysitter filmed sexual assaults of young kids in North Texas, federal authorities say
A babysitter from Arlington who sexually exploited more than a dozen children and filmed their assaults has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison, authorities said.
Kaleb Layne Nix, 26, was indicted on federal charges in July and also faces state charges, according to U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Nix pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in August to two counts of sexual exploitation of children. U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman in Fort Worth sentenced him on Thursday, Dec. 12, to 720 months in prison. Pittman also ruled that Nix’s sentence would run consecutive to any sentence he receives in the state’s pending cases against him on charges including sexual abuse and child pornography.
The investigations began with a cybertip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children about an internet user who uploaded files containing images of child sexual abuse, according to court documents.
Investigators identified the Google account user as Nix and executed a search warrant on the contents of his cellphones, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release and court documents. The search uncovered multiple videos and images of Nix sexually exploiting at least 15 boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 7, authorities said.
One parent told investigators that his family used an online childcare service to schedule babysitters, and provided them with Nix’s profile photo.
Some of the crimes occurred at the homes of victims in Fort Worth, according to federal court documents.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Arlington Police Department led the investigation.
Nix was arrested by Arlington police in April 2023 in connection to child sexual abuse offenses he is accused of committing between 2021 and 2023, according to Tarrant County court records. A trial date has not been set on the state charges. Court records indicate Nix’s attorney filed notice that he might argue an insanity defense.
The federal court recommended to the Bureau of Prisons that Nix be incarcerated at FCI Seagoville if possible so that he can receive any mental health treatment he may need.
This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 4:25 PM.
