BELLEVUE, Neb. -- A man was arrested in Bellevue on Wednesday for allegedly piercing a minor's tongue in a hotel room.

Mauro Loper, 36, is not a licensed professional in Nebraska, Bellevue police said, and he faces charges of practicing body art without a license and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Carrie Gunn said her daughter paid Loper $30 to pierce her tongue. The 16-year-old girl went with a friend to a Bellevue motel room where Loper did the job, police said. Police photos show conditions that were less than antiseptic.

"She'd been begging me for a tongue piercing," said Gunn. "I said, 'When you're 18.' She'll be 17 in March. You know, it's not sanitary. It's not safe. I said, 'What are you thinking, you and your friend going to this guy's motel room?'"

Bellevue police Detective Derek Bees worked with Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to make the arrest. He said he hopes parents of other victims will come forward, too.

"From the equipment in the room, it appears he's done this for some time," Bees said. "He's been in that motel room for five weeks. Who knows how many he's pierced?"

"I don't know how many other kids are out there," Gunn said.

Loper could go to jail if convicted of the charges.

Police said the state is working to file a cease and desist order against him.