CORNELIUS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — An 18-year-old man has been released to his parents instead of being given a bond after being charged with ten felony counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor., according to the Cornelius Police Department. The charges are related to an investigation into child pornography distribution. The teen, Brett Garald Kimbrell, was accused of distributing various images of young girls. Warrants filed with the Mecklenburg County Court indicated that at least one of the victims in the images appeared to be between the ages of 4 and 6 years old, with other victims ranging in age up to 15 years old.  Court documents also indicated that at least one of the files traded was a video, while another was a collage of young girls being sexually abused. An affidavit filed with the court, tied to Kimbrell's arrest, stated a tip came to Cornelius Police from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, indicating that several files were uploaded and sent through the "Kik" messaging application to other "unknown subjects". Authorities later issued search warrants associated with IP addresses at two addresses in Cornelius tied to some of the activity, and said were later able to tie the case to Kimbrell. On Friday, Jan. 10, detectives search the home of Kimbrell after receiving a tip about someone possibly having child pornography. Electronic devices were seized as part of the search. During an appearance Friday, the Mecklenburg County Magistrate’s Office ordered that Kimbrell be released to the custody of his parents instead of being given a bond. Cornelius Police were highly critical of the decision and noted in a social media post that they believed Kimbrell should have been given a bond. "Given the serious nature of these charges, which involve the safety and well-being of children, we find this decision troubling and concerning," wrote Cornelius Police. "The release of this defendant, especially under such circumstances, undermines the gravity of the situation and raises significant concerns about the risk to public safety, particularly the safety of minors in the community." Police went on to say they strongly believe Kimbrell should still be behind bars to send a message to other offenders. Cornelius Police detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Computer Crimes Unit both worked on this case. If you have information on the exploitation or abuse of minors, please come forward. Cornelius Police can be reached at 704-892-7773. You can also submit an anonymous tip through North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-896-7867 or at northmeckcrimestoppers.org.