School's Focus On Students As Teacher Faces Child Porn Charges
SOUTHBRIDGE (CBS) -- Southbridge officials say they are taking steps to protect students after a teacher was arrested on child pornography charges.
Scott Peeler, a teacher at Southbridge Middle School, is accused of using a Yahoo Messenger account to set up webcam shows involving sex acts performed by minors.
He's now on administrative leave.
Read: Federal Complaint Against Scott Peeler (.pdf)
It is not believed that any Southbridge students were involved, but school administrators said a crisis team has been assembled for anyone who needs to discuss their fears.
"I went home last night and had to talk to my own children," Superintendent Sheryl Stanton said. "It certainly is a concern when adults are alleged to have engaged in such activity."
Stanton said investigators are determining if school computers were ever used in the alleged crimes.
A meeting for parents is scheduled for July 8, and FBI officials are expected to attend.
Peeler, a Worcester resident, allegedly admitted to police that the email and messenger addresses used to solicit the webcam shows were his, but he said he had never purchased any videos.
"I think it's a question that as a parent you never want to have to answer, which is why did this happen?" Stanton said. "We can honestly say we don't know."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports:
