Charges dropped over nude photo

Indiana

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LAFAYETTE – Prosecutors have dropped charges against a Lafayette woman who police say deliberately posted a nude photo of her teenage daughter on the girl’s Facebook page.

Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington told the Journal & Courier he dropped felony charges of child exploitation and possession of child pornography against the 50-year-old woman Friday.

Harrington said in a statement that digital evidence crucial to the case no longer exists.

Investigators spent a year collecting evidence, including issuing subpoenas to Facebook and the teen’s cellphone provider, before the woman was arrested in November.

Prosecutors claimed the girl took the photo of herself but that her mother had possession of the phone when the picture was uploaded to Facebook.

Prosecutors can refile the charges if new evidence is found.