The police and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation after the father of an 8-year-old girl discovered a sexually explicit drawing the child had made. When the father asked her about it the child said she got the idea from watching X-rated movies Tyler showed her. Her parents called the Rowan County Department of Social Services, who notified the China Grove Police department.

Further investigation revealed that Tyler had frequent visits from the girl and also from an 8-year-old boy. Both children were family associates of Tyler and had visited his home. Police say Tyler played the X-rated movies for the children and had them perform various sex acts on him.