Delaware youth photographer facing child porn charges

Man accused of child pornography had been a foster parent and had worked as a Santa Claus

New Castle County Police have arrested 52-year-old Steven Hughes of Newark on child pornography charges.  They say an undercover investigation by the Delaware Child Predator Task Force resulted in a search of Hughes’ home.  Police say detectives found hundreds of illegal images of children on a computer in the home.

Hughes had been a foster parent from 1983 through 1997.  Police say during that time, more than 100 children were placed in his home by the state.  He also runs Studio H Photography, a company that specialized in taking pictures of young people.  Police say Hughes also had performed as Santa Claus for children.  They say he advertised his willingness to make home visits as Santa.

Police say additional charges against Hughes are pending.  He’s being held after failing to post $300,000 cash bail.  Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about questionable contact with Hughes to call Detective Jason Wilson at 395-8110.