Sexting case involving multiple students investigated at Vandalia middle school

Police and school officials are investigating a sexting case at Morton Middle School.

Police have received a list of six juveniles who are involved, Vandalia police Lt. Ben Walker said. Officers will be looking at cellphones to determine who and how many students were involved in the sexting, he said.

>> 5 Vandalia students suspended for sexting

Vandalia-Butler Schools reported the potential of students using technology inappropriately outside school to police on Wednesday, and the district said it is working with students, parents and local law enforcement, according to a statement from the district.

“I am very disappointed as it appears some of our students have used poor judgment in their use of technology. We will work through this with the students and parents affected with the hopes that this will ultimately lead to better decisions in their use of technology,” Superintendent Rob O’Leary stated. “There are great learning benefits from the technological tools of today; however, there continue to be great challenges as well when teenager’s and children’s use of technology is not monitored. We will continue our efforts to educate students in this area.”

Students found to be in violation of the student code of conduct will face school discipline.

Parent Leanna Jones and her daughter, Morton Middle School student Ava Helton, spoke today to News Center 7’s Monica Castro about the sexting investigation.

“It is scary at this age for something like that to happen,” Jones said.

Helton said when police arrived at the school, it was scary because students didn’t know initially that it had to do with students sexting.

“I don’t understand why they would do that,” Helton said.

Sexting in middle school and high school is so pervasive that Montgomery County and Clark County juvenile courts have a diversion program for juveniles.

>> Ohio lawmakers vote to ban sexting by anyone under 19, set up diversion program

>> Sexting and teens: Ohio looks to set up diversion program as problem grows

Last year, former state lawmaker Jeff Rezabek, an attorney, introduced a bill that would push courts statewide to adopt similar programs.

>> Ohio may ban sexting by anyone under 19; set up teen diversion program

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