Kids radio show photographer facing child pornography charges

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia photographer who volunteered at a kids radio show is accused of taking sexually explicit images of children in public places in the city and surrounding areas.

Mark Wilkens, 57, was arrested on Friday morning and is charged with multiple charges including manufacturing child pornography and possession of child pornography.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Wilkens was working as a volunteer photographer for radio station WXPN when the incidents occurred between August 2010 and July 2015.

According to a news release issued Friday morning, Wilkens allegedly "photographed prepubescent children at public events to capture and attempt to capture sexually explicit images."

Wilkens had a role with the station's highly-regarded Kids Corner radio show where one online review called him the "trusted" Kids Corner photographer.

"He used his position with WXPN to have access to children and to photograph children at these Kids Corner children's events," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rotella.

The events were held at various locations such as Camden Children's Garden. Rotella says Wilkens focused on kids ages two to 10 years old.

"Some of these events involved water so the kids would be in bathing suits and the parents would change children's diapers or take their bathing suits off, and he would take these sexually explicit photographs," said Rotella.

WXPN released the following statement on Friday that reads in part:

"We are shocked and appalled to learn that a photographer who volunteered at WXPN from time to time has been charged with this crime."

The incidents allegedly happened on the following dates and locations:

Aug. 19, 2010: Morris Arboretum at 100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia

July 26, 2014: Camden Children's Garden, 3 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey

Aug. 14, 2014: Morris Arboretum at 100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia

May 2, 2015: Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia

July 4, 2015: 6500 Rising Sun Ave., Philadelphia

If convicted on all six counts, Wilkens faces a minimum of 15 years in prison.