A Moon Township woman accused of producing child pornography is scheduled to face a preliminary hearing today in Coraopolis District Court.
Pamela Smallis, 50, a former childcare worker who has residences listed in both Moon and Oakdale, was found in possession of videos and photos depicting children engaged in sex acts, according to the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly.
Smallis is charged with 34 counts of sexual abuse of children, 16 counts of unlawful contact with a minor, five counts of sexual exploitation of children, five counts of endangering the welfare of children, five counts of corruption of minors, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Smallis is the former owner of the Children's Palace daycare in Beaver County, which is now under new management, and the former Little Folks Daycare Center in North Fayette, which was shut down by state inspectors in Sept. 2010 for failure to comply with safety regulations, according to documents from the state Department of Public Welfare.
Smallis was arrested and charged with child sex abuse in September. She was held on $50,000 bail.
In April, Moon Police arrested the woman and charged her with using her children to sell drugs from her Stocker Drive home.
During the investigation, police examined a phone memory card belonging to Smallis and discovered 33 pornographic photos and two videos depicting children engaged in sexual acts.
No children who attended either of Smallis' daycare centers are involved in the investigation.
A jury trial for Smallis on the drug charges is slated for Jan. 22, according to court documents.
Smallis' 19-year-old son Richard Smallis, who is charged with conspiracy, drug delivery and two counts of possession with intent to deliver drugs, also faces a jury trial on Jan. 22.
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