Nathan J. Welch

ALTON - An Alton man faces seven Class X felonies after allegedly sexually assaulting a 4-month-old child and sharing photographs of the act online.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

Nathan J. Welch, 31, of Alton, has been charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and five counts of child pornography, each Class X felonies.

Welch allegedly sexually assaulted a 4-month-old child from the day they were born in early March 2024, to June 4, 2024, and shared photos of him doing so on the online messaging platform Kik, according to Madison County court documents.

A petition filed to deny Welch’s pretrial release adds that a search warrant was executed on his Alton residence after a cybertip was submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, then forwarded to Madison County authorities.

Article continues after sponsor message

“On June 27, 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cybertip from the Kik application that a user was sharing child pornography on their platform,” the petition states. “This tip was forwarded to the Edwardsville Police Department for investigation on June 28, 2024.”

Further investigation by Edwardsville police revealed that the IP address associated with the device sharing the child pornography corresponded to Welch’s address in Alton. A search warrant was executed at the residence, where it was determined Welch resided at the address with the victim and her mother.

Welch was then taken into custody and interviewed. During his interview, he reportedly admitted to taking the photos and sharing them.

Welch’s case was presented by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and he was remanded to jail until his initial court appearance. He currently remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.

The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

More like this:

Yesterday - Investigation Ongoing: Worden Man Faces Child Porn, Child Solicitation Charges

Aug 1, 2024 - Wood River Man Facing Trial In Child Porn Case

Nov 25, 2024 - Attorney General's Office Charges Belleville Man With Dissemination Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Nov 13, 2024 - Alton Man Charged With Sexual Abuse, Assault Of 10-Year-Old

Nov 13, 2024 - Raoul Charges Pocohontos Man With Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Weapon By Felon