CHESTER TOWNSHIP  The 21-year-old mother of a baby seen duct-taped in a photo posted on the Internet has been charged with in connection with the bizarre photo.

Caira Ferguson, of the 1200 block of Elson Road in the Toby Farms section of the township, has been charged with recklessly endangering and corruption of a minor, Nether Providence police said.

She was charged after being questioned Wednesday afternoon by Nether Providence Township police.

Ferguson told investigators in a statement that the incident was not a joke, as some theorized, but that she did not know why she bound the child's hands and legs, as well as placing a gag over her mouth.

The investigation was taken over by Nether Providence police because that is where the incident allegedly took place last summer.

Ferguson was first taken into custody by Chester Township police on outstanding warrants not connected to the photo.

Ferguson was arraigned via video by Magisterial District Judge C. Walter McCray on one count of false imprisonment, one count of unlawful restraint, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

She was remanded to Delaware County Prison without bail.

McCray declined to set bail in the case, something usually reserved for homicide charges.

It is believed that county child welfare officials were at the home with Chester Township police Wednesday afternoon.

The status of the child is not known. The Delaware County Office of Children and Youth Services issued a statement indicating they were cooperating with Chester Township Police in their investigation, but that the state's juvenile law prohibits them from commenting on specific cases.

"It is the mission of Delaware County Children and Youth Services to provide for the safety and protection of children," the statement reads. "It is the agencys responsibility to carry out the Child Protective Services Act under the auspices of the court. The court is utilized to ensure the safest remedy for each child and CYS works under the court to ensure that no childs protection is compromised."


The photograph of a young child clad only in a diaper and bound to a chair by long strips of duct tape wrapped tautly around her wrists and ankles, with a smaller piece taped across her mouth, is clearly disturbing, Police Chief Ken Coalson said Tuesday.

Since police became aware of the photograph three days ago, Coalson said an investigation has been ongoing to determine possible child abuse, and if so, who might face criminal charges.

Our concern is who did it, was the mother (allegedly) involved and where did it occur, the chief said.

A woman in the photo appears to be posing behind the bound child, her hands clutching the childs arms and her head resting on the childs shoulder.

According to Coalson, she is the 21-year-old mother of the child, a 2-year-old girl. They reside in the Toby Farms section of the township.

Police believe the duct-taping incident occurred during the summer. As such, any visible injury the child might have suffered when the tape was removed would have healed.

We have had contact with the child, Coalson said.

Coalson said investigators became aware of the photograph when the mother arrived at the station to report an identity theft.

Its disturbing to look at, he said.

He indicated that the woman told the officers she was not responsible for posting the photograph on a blog known as  MediaTakeOut.com.

She told us that it is her in the photograph, but that she did not post it, Coalson said. She said someone else stole her identity and posted it.

According to Coalson, the image received 337,000 hits before it was removed from the site.

Coalson said officers are investigating both the photograph and possible identity theft.

He also said a report was provided to Delaware County Children and Youth Services.