Carolina Beach, NC September 28, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.: Investigators with the Carolina Beach Police Department charged Elijah Jacob Donato a 21 year old male of 226 Thompson Ln. Unit 2209, Wilmington, NC, with 2 counts of 1st Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and 2 counts of Taking Indecent Liberties with Children.
An initial investigation uncovered evidence that Mr. Donato sexually exploited and took indecent liberties with a young child he was babysitting earlier this week. Warrants were approved for the arrest of the babysitter, Elijah Donato. In addition to working as a private babysitter for families in New Hanover County, Carolina Beach Investigators also confirmed that Mr. Donato is employed as the YMCA Site Coordinator for the Afterschool Care program at Wrightsville Beach Elementary School. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office assisted and took Donato into custody on the warrants for arrest, and transferred him to the Carolina Beach Police Department.
Additonally, Carolina Beach Police Department Investigators executed a search warrant at Donato’s residence seizing additional items. This investigation is ongoing.
Donato was taken in front of a New Hanover County Magistrate and placed on a $500,000 secured bond. He is currently in custody at the New Hanover County Jail. Please contact the Carolina Beach Police Department if you have any additional information regarding Elijah Donato at 910-458-2540.