Decatur Woman Charged with Child Exploitation

GBI says 27-year-old arrested for online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested a 27-year-old Decatur woman named Emily Rae Staub on one count of sexual exploitation of children. The charge stems from an October investigation by the GBI's Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, which looked into Staub's online activity after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about possible possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Why it matters

The arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies like the GBI to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in the exploitation of children online. Child sexual abuse material is a serious crime that can have devastating impacts on victims, and the GBI encourages the public to report any suspected exploitation to the authorities.

The details

According to the GBI, the investigation into Staub began in October 2025 after the agency received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about her alleged online activity. The GBI's Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit then looked into Staub's case, leading to her arrest on February 13, 2026. Staub was booked into the DeKalb County Jail but has since been released.

  • The GBI investigation began in October 2025 after receiving a tip.
  • Staub was arrested on February 13, 2026.

The players

Emily Rae Staub

A 27-year-old woman from Decatur, Georgia who was arrested and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)

The state law enforcement agency that investigated Staub and made the arrest.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

The organization that provided the initial tip to the GBI about Staub's alleged online activity.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Staub's bail status at a future court hearing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the exploitation of children online, and the importance of the public reporting any suspected abuse to the authorities.