29yo man charged with raping 11yo girl he allegedly lured on social media

Police have issued fresh warnings for parents about the dangers of social media after a young girl was allegedly groomed and raped in regional Queensland.

Police have warned parents that pedophiles can use social media to target their children at any time, from anywhere, after an 11-year-old Queensland girl was allegedly groomed online and eventually raped by a man residing two hours away.

Police allege the 29-year-old Sunshine Coast man used social media to communicate with the young girl before travelling to a town in the South Burnett region to get her on December 16.

Shortly after meeting her, police allege he committed several offences including one count each of rape, and indecent treatment of a child under 12.

He was then arrested following an investigation by the Kingaroy Child Protection Investigation branch, with detectives executing a search warrant on a Mount Coolum address over 200km away on Monday.

The alleged pedophile was arrested at an address in Mount Coolum, almost 215km away from where he drove to meet the girl. Picture: supplied.

The man was also charged with possession of dangerous drugs and possessing a drug utensil.

He was refused bail and will appear before the Caboolture Magistrates Court on Tuesday December 31.

Following the incident, Queensland police have renewed calls for parents to be more vigilant, with a statement warning “of the dangers of social media and to be conscious of activities being undertaken by their children online.”