Trigger warning: This article contains descriptions of alleged child abuse.

Two people have been charged over disturbing but unrelated alleged crimes involving children in Queensland’s Central Highlands.

One incident allegedly involved a photo of duct tape-bound young children, aged just three and four years.

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The photo, which was allegedly forwarded to several people, appeared to show a man pointing a gun at a young restrained child, Queensland Police allege.

“Obviously (it’s) very concerning given that that firearm was actually an operable firearm and could be fired,” Capricorn Crime Group Detective Inspector Luke Peachey said.

“The fact that those children, three years and four years of age, were bound with duct tape — whether it was in jest or whether it was threatening, doesn’t matter — that’s very concerning behaviour and we’ve taken that matter very seriously.

“I’ve been a detective for over 26 years and it’s the first time I’ve seen anything like that.”

Police claim the photo was found a May 26 search of a 44-year-old man’s property at Emerald, in central Queensland, during a probe into illegal weapons and illicit drug allegations.

Police have alleged they seized the man’s mobile phone and found the image showing alleged child abuse, and evidence of its distribution.

“That image was sent to a number of other persons,” Peachey said.

“And that’s still currently under investigation why people hadn’t reported that.”

The children were both known to the man but not related to him, and further investigations to identify the children have confirmed they are now safe, police said.

“That offender has got no access to those children and will not be able to get near those children,” Peachey said.

When police checked on the children, they were “in the company of their mothers and were in good spirits”.

“We made a determination ... in regards to the welfare of those children and have left them in the care of their mothers at the moment,” Peachey added.

Images supplied by police show the man was allegedly in possession of handguns.

The man was charged with unlawful possession of firearms, dangerous conduct with a weapon and two counts of deprivation of liberty.

He remains on bail under strict curfew and reporting conditions and will face Emerald Magistrates Court on August 26.

In a separate incident, a 59-year-old man allegedly drugged and raped a child between June and July.

Concerned community members brought the allegations to the attention of police, who thanked them for their courage in coming forward to report the matter.

“There was concern among the community that this person was getting around with this juvenile and there was a belief he was supplying her drugs and then taking sexual advantage of her,” Peachey said.

“They were known to each other.”

The man has now been charged with grooming a child under 16, rape, supplying dangerous drugs to a minor and breaching bail.

He was remanded in custody to face Emerald Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

“The Emerald police are committed to supporting victims of sexual abuse with compassion and work diligently and tirelessly to hold offenders accountable through the court system,” Detective Sergeant Dylan Brook said.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.