Husband of Missing Woman Arrested on Child Pornography Charges During Investigation
ICARO Media Group
In a shocking turn of events, Brett Baldwin, a man previously under investigation as a person of interest in the disappearance of his wife Nicole Baldwin, has now been arrested on federal child pornography charges. The Marion County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Baldwin was apprehended on Thursday afternoon and is currently being held at the Marion County jail in Wildwood, Florida.
Nicole Baldwin, who vanished on November 2, remains missing, adding to the mystery surrounding this case. The last known sighting of her was at the family's former residence in Mount Dora, Florida. Local authorities classified her disappearance as a "missing person investigation," which eventually led them to discover evidence implicating Brett Baldwin in child pornography.
Investigators reportedly obtained a search warrant to examine Brett Baldwin's iPhone for any traces of evidence related to Nicole's disappearance. It was during this search that detectives allegedly uncovered a total of 31 disturbing images and videos depicting child sex abuse. The Department of Homeland Security has taken over the case, further escalating its gravity.
The arrest itself took place at the residence of Brett Baldwin's mother, where he had recently moved along with his two daughters. Upon his arrest, Alisha Baldwin, Brett's daughter, expressed her distress, stating that the house had been forcefully entered and disrupted early in the morning. Alisha emphasized that her father's actions were unrelated to her mother's disappearance, attempting to separate the two events.
The search for Nicole Baldwin continues, as law enforcement agencies intensify their efforts to locate her. Her personal belongings, including her Apple watch, purse, cards, and car, were all found at their former home in Mount Dora. In hopes of gathering more information, the Mount Dora Police Department has announced a $5,000 reward for any leads or tips that may assist in solving this perplexing case.
As the investigation unfolds, the community anxiously awaits answers regarding Nicole Baldwin's disappearance and the relationship between her vanishing and her husband's arrest on child pornography charges. Details surrounding these twin mysteries are expected to surface in the coming days, as authorities work diligently to uncover the truth.
For those interested in staying up-to-date with the latest developments in this case and other crime news, sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter to receive breaking updates, ongoing trial coverage, and details about intriguing unsolved cases.