Porter County- The Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Section at the Lowell Post received multiple NCMEC CyberTips of an individual that was possessing and sharing images of child pornography. During the investigation, detectives determined that the suspect had been using the social media platform of Kik to obtain and share the images.
A thorough investigation showed that the images were being sent from an individual in Valparaiso. The suspect was determined to be Kaiden Aurenz, 20, from Valparaiso, IN. Aurenz is currently in custody at the Porter County Sheriff’s Department as a result of a separate investigation by the Valparaiso Police Department. On April 16th , 2025, the Porter County Prosecutor’s office filed charges for Child Exploitation- Level 4 and Level 5 felonies. Aurenz remains incarcerated at the Porter County Jail. Indiana State Police Detectives were assisted by the Valparaiso Police Department in this investigation.
The Indiana State Police will continue to relentlessly investigate and pursue these child exploitation crimes and crimes against children. The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to NCMEC. The NCMEC website can be accessed through the ICAC Task Force website. NCMEC is a private, non-profit organization providing services nationwide to families and law enforcement officials relating to the prevention of abduction and sexual exploitation of children.
To report a crime with your child as a victim involving the internet or other electronic means, please contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency. ICAC Taskforce website: https://www.in.gov/isp/icactf/
All suspects are presumed to be innocent until/unless proven guilty in court.