Fairhope High School principal Jon Cardwell has a message for parents and a warning to students concerning texting or sending sexual images or videos.
"In reading recent headlines, I felt the need to share this with you and correct my own thinking and processes with even my own kids," Cardwell wrote in a letter obtained by 1819 News.
After speaking with the Fairhope Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Cardwell learned police plan to charge every child that is reported for distribution and receiving of private images.
"Anytime your child/student receives an image, it is my advice that you report that to the Fairhope Police Department or BC Sheriff's Department," he said. "Admittedly, my mistake as a principal and father was that I always coached our kids to delete the images or videos if they ever got one — that practice is different from current expectations. If you do not feel comfortable reporting to the police, please feel free to contact school administrators and we will handle reporting through our SRO's."
"Why do I suggest that you report these images and why am I changing my recommendation?" he continued. "Because it has come to my attention that by ignoring the images and/or videos, a law enforcement investigation could lead them to discover that your student also possesses an inappropriate private image that could ultimately loop your child into an investigation."
Cardwell encouraged parents to talk to their children.
"In today's climate, with every conversation and presentation we have at school being analyzed and challenged, I'm putting it [on] you as the parent to have this important conversation with your child and to choose a course of action that suits your family in light of the above information," Cardwell said.
"If you're the one saying 'my child would never do that,' I hope you're right," he continued. "I know that I'm having a conversation with my own personal child this week. Ignoring the possibility that this could intentionally or inadvertently affect your child isn't worth your child being a registered sex offender, and that is not me exaggerating a single bit."
Charges can range from possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography or production of child pornography.
Fairhope Police told 1819 News that if a student reports images or videos to authorities, they will not be charged. They recommend students go to a principal, counseling staff or a school resource officer (SRO).
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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