Delaware County Woman Sentenced to 30 Years in Child Pornography Case

PHILADELPHIA—Dorothy Prawdzik, 45, of Colwyn, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison, by United States District Judge Lawrence F. Stengel, for her role in the manufacture of child pornography by her boyfriend John Worman, announced United States Attorney Laurie Magid.  A jury convicted Prawdzik of all 15 counts against her at trial in September 2008.  Worman was convicted of all 56 counts.  Worman had installed a video camera in the bathroom wall of a home for the purposes of videotaping children as they used the toilet, undressed, and showered.  Prawdzik also participated in the sexual abuse of the children by undressing them for the camera, spreading their legs, and photographing their genitals.  She also turned over a 10-month old to Worman and watched as he attempted vaginal sex, sexually abused the infant, and participated in the videotaping of the sexual assault.

“The depravity exhibited in this case is beyond comprehension,” said Magid.  “This defendant’s actions resulted in extraordinary sexual abuse of defenseless children, which may have a profound impact on the victims for years to come.  Based on Judge Stengel’s sentence of 30 years, this defendant will pay the price for engaging in such horrendous crimes.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.