BARTOW, Fla. -- A Disney worker was fired after Polk County investigators said he solicited inappropriate photos from at least one child.
Detectives said Timothy Hammerstone, 22, used an Xbox to reach out to the boy and then traded game credits for pictures. Hammerstone was arrested Thursday night.
Investigators said the worker from Disney's Hollywood Studios solicited the California boy through Xbox with just a few clicks of a button.
Mother Beth Kurtz said sexual predators are finding new and scary ways to reach out to children, like her 9-year-old son, Duncan.
"It's no longer outside a gate in your community," she said. "It's inside your TV, in your Xbox, how they're reaching in."
Investigators said Hammerstone interacted with a boy on Xbox LIVE, convincing the child to send him a naked picture in exchange for Microsoft online points that can be used to buy games.
Deputies said they searched Hammerstone's home and found his Xbox system and 16 images of child pornography.
Hammerstone's sister, Sarah, said knowing her brother had the images is disturbing.
"It's really hard knowing that. I have two kids. It's really hard, but I think he needs help and he's going to get that help," she said. "I don't agree with the time that he may serve by no means, but I agree he needs help."
Kurtz said she's not taking any chances and she has set the parental controls on the Xbox LIVE.
Xbox experts urge parents to only allow children to have conversations with people they've added as friends and mute conversations with people not on that list.
Hammerstone remained in jail on Saturday without bond.


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