Prosecutor Gary Bjorklund, said Friday the investigation is ongoing and asked Sixth Judicial District judge David Johnson to set a high bail considering the "very serious allegations" against Lofald.

Bjorklund also warned that Lofald could be a potential flight risk and pose a risk to himself as well as the public if released.

Johnson set bail at $250,00 without conditions and $100,000 if a screening from the Department of Corrections determines Lofald qualifies for intensive supervised release.

The judge said a high bail was appropriate since the charges against Lofald are "very serious" and that he could be facing a lengthy sentence behind bars if convicted.

One of the conditions under an intensive supervised release would prohibit unsupervised contact with minor children, which would include Lofald's 3 1/2-year-old son.

The victims in this case are identified, but are not being released.

Speaking generally about sexual abuse cases, Beth Olson, executive director at First Witness Child Advocacy, warned against the "stranger danger" mentality. She said, child sexual abusers are more often someone close to the child.

"While certainly there are strangers that hurt children, they are the minority. It's generally people we know and trust. People who offend against children gain the trust of the adults in children's lives so they can have access to them."

Olson said trusting gut feelings is the best way to keep kids safe.

"It's important to trust your instincts if something is feeling funny to your child or feeling funny to you or just seems unusual. A lot of times you want to ignore those feelings," Olson said.

Sometimes she says, it's often difficult to even confront those gut feelings because it may be someone parents or other family members want to trust. Olson said it's best to remove any one-on-one contact with the child with someone who might be a risk.

"That may not mean that they are a perpetrator but it's kind of better to be safe than sorry," Olson said.

Olson said protecting infants can be especially difficult because they're not yet able to communicate, but she said paying attention oddities in to how and when a particular adult interacts with other children may be a red flag.

Sephen Zuber, the attorney representing Lofald at Friday's hearing, said bail is too high. He said Lofald isn't a flight risk because of his close community ties as a seven-year firefighter in Duluth, and significant family connections in the area.

Lofald's wife and father were at the hearing Friday, and Zuber said family members have recently been supervising Lofald's visits with his toddler son.

Rick Gondik of Superior is Lofald's attorney for this case, but Zuber said a prior commitment in court kept him from Lofald's hearing.

Before moving to Duluth, Zuber said Lofald was a firefighter for two years in Fargo, North Dakota.

Lofald is scheduled to appear for another court hearing on Feb. 4.

According to a criminal complaint, an investigator found electronic evidence at Lofald's Hermantown home and at Duluth Fire Hall 7, 1419 Maple Grove Road. The two locations were searched in November.

Lofald was arrested Tuesday. The City of Duluth said he has been on paid administrative leave from his position as a firefighter since November when a search warrant was carried out.

Olson said families with questions or concerns about child sexual abuse can call First Witness at 218-727-8353.