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Police warn students on nude photos
Friday, April 18, 2008
KETTERING — After three incidents, Kettering police and school officials are warning students that using camera cell phones to take and send nude photos to other students is against the law.
"When a picture is taken of an underage person and transmitted it's against the law," said Kettering Police Officer Jennifer Smithhart. "It's the same as child pornography."
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Last month, a Kettering Middle School student took a photo by leaning over the top of a bathroom stall. At Fairmont High School, a female student sent a nude photo of herself to a boy. Two months ago at Van Buren Middle School, Smithhart was asked to speak to a student after a counselor discovered the student took nude pictures of herself and sent them to another student.
"She wanted me to explain the severity of the situation," Smithhart said, explaining it is illegal even if the picture was taken by a juvenile or if the person took the photo of himself or herself.
Part of addressing the situation is educating school staffs and parents about what's going on, Smithhart said.
"They weren't aware that these kids are doing this," she said.
Parents also could be charged, Smithhart said.
"Be aware of what your children are doing," she said. "Know what's on your child's cell phone. Most parents are paying the bills. They can be held accountable."
No one has been charged yet, Smithhart said. But schools and police can confiscate cell phones and search the phones' hard drives to retrieve the photos even if they have been deleted.
"We are taking these complaints very seriously," Smithhart said.
Other Miami Valley schools have reported few incidents.
"If it is (going on), then it's very limited and it's kept very secret," said Oakwood Officer Gail Schmidt.
Trotwood Detective James Faulkner said a Trotwood-Madison High School student was sent an obscene picture, but officials determined it was sent by the girl's ex-boyfriend because she had broken up with him.
Smithhart advises students getting a questionable photo to delete it immediately and notify a parent or school official. And keep photos appropriate.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.
