NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. ( WECT /Gray News) – A North Carolina man who worked as a private babysitter has pleaded guilty to child sex crimes committed in 2023, according to authorities.

According to officials, Elijah Jacob Donato pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent liberties with a child and two counts of first degree sexual exploitation of a minor on Nov. 13.

In September 2023, prosecutors told a judge in court that the victim’s parents found disturbing images on their Nest camera after they hired Donato to babysit.

While babysitting, Donato encouraged the children to take photos of their genitals using his phone, and a digital analysis of the phone found the photos in a hidden photo on his phone titled “my eyes only,” the district attorney said.

After his arrest, the Carolina

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