An Indianapolis mother, Morgan D. Stapp, 32, finds herself at the center of a grave legal battle as she faces charges for attempted child sex trafficking. The investigation that led to her arrest began with a concerning message on Snapchat, where Stapp allegedly offered her 7-month-old daughter for sexual activity in return for money.
Morgan D. Stapp was taken into custody on July 8 after Snapchat's automated detection systems flagged a message from her account. The message disturbingly proposed her infant daughter for sex, demanding $400 in exchange. According to the information extracted from CBS4 and New York Post reports, Stapp's message indicated a transactional nature, "Half now, rest after. I’ll send my address. I do live alone, and her dad is not in the picture."
Authorities, including the FBI, conducted a home visit to Stapp on November 11, 2024, for an initial interview. During the encounter, Stapp denied access to her Snapchat account and claimed it was hacked, adding that she was banned from the platform for "online commercial sex transactions." It was later revealed, in a discussion with the Indiana Department of Child Services, that Stapp had fabricated the hacking story, stating, "I wanted the FBI to leave."
Further scrutiny into the digital trail left by Stapp's online activity uncovered over 7,000 messages sent from her account between October 29 and November 1. Among these were 81 messages with offers of nude photos of herself, purportedly to afford baby diapers. Post-interview selfies were also found, contradicting her earlier statements about losing access to her account. The IP address linked to the account's activity was traced back to her residence, and more than 400 new contacts were added to the account in a brief period.
Formal charges were filed against Morgan D. Stapp on July 1 in Marion Superior Court. The digital evidence comprising thousands of Snapchat messages, post-interview selfies, and IP data from Stapp's home appear to corroborate the charges against her. She is scheduled to appear in court on September 15.
This alarming incident has sparked renewed concerns about social media's role in monitoring and reporting potential exploitation. Advocates emphasize the need for robust safeguards to protect children from similar abuses. Child sex trafficking is a growing national issue, often enabled by technology and social media, challenging law enforcement to adapt and intervene proactively.
In response to such cases, platforms like Snapchat employ automated systems and user reports to identify harmful content, including exploitation suspicions. In Stapp's case, these systems played a crucial role in alerting authorities to the alleged trafficking attempt, showcasing how tech platforms can contribute to identifying and preventing exploitation.
As of the latest updates, it has not been disclosed whether Stapp has obtained legal representation or if she has issued any public statements regarding the charges. The investigation remains active, and officials urge those with information on child exploitation to come forward. The unfolding case underscores the collective responsibility of social media platforms, communities, and law enforcement in safeguarding online child safety and reinforcing prevention efforts.
