SC teenager charged with sexual abuse of children and family dog

An Anderson County teenager is accused of sexual exploitation of children and having sex with the family dog.

The investigation began in March when the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office notified the Anderson County Sheriff that they had received an online tip regarding an Anderson resident.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received several tips.

Anderson County Criminal Investigation Division obtained a search warrant and found nearly 20 devices containing thousands of images of child pornography, some of them of toddler age, said Shale Remien of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office in a news release.

He said investigators also found children’s clothing in the suspect’s room.

Connor Hanks, 18, is charged with seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, eight counts of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor and sodomy.

He is being held at the Anderson County Detention Center.

The Attorney General’s Office will pursue the case.