U.S. breaks up online kid porn ring

CHICAGO, March 15 (UPI) -- An Internet chat room that streamed live video of child molestation has been shut down and 27 people have been charged with child pornography offenses.

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales along with several other U.S. officials -- including Assistant Homeland Security Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Julie Myers -- announced the arrests Wednesday.

"Molestation on demand and an ever-younger and more defenseless group of child victims are two of the most disturbing trends ... investigators see when they infiltrate child pornography rings," said Myers. "This case had both."

Justice Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said all but one of the defendants had been arrested as part of an undercover sting operation intended to close down the Web site -- known as "Kiddypics & Kiddyvids" -- CNN reported.

Thirteen defendants were charged in the United States and the others were charged in other countries.

Gonzales said seven children had been identified as molestation victims -- including one who was younger than 18 months. One suspect was accused of producing live streaming video of himself sexually molesting an infant, CNN said.