A middle school teacher in Tennessee who was arrested after secretly videotaping students in the girl's locker room reportedly told police that he only placed the camera there to stop bullying.
Christopher Schroll, an 8th grade teacher and soccer coach at Cleveland Middle School, is accused of taking video of 30 young girls by using a spy camera he placed in the locker room, according to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.
Schroll was arrested Tuesday, less than 24 hours after a student found the tiny camera. He was charged with attempted aggravated unlawful photography of a minor, and was released after posting a $10,000 bond, WBIR reported.
Schroll was taken into custody again on Thursday on a second charge of attempted aggravated unlawful photography of a minor after police determined the recordings took place over a two-day period, the station reported.
The school's surveillance system showed Schroll in the area of the girls' locker room shortly before the camera was found. When investigators confronted him, Schroll admitted that he purchased the camera off Amazon and put it in the locker room because of complaints he was getting from girls about being bullied and harassed, according to a police report obtained by WTVC. He said he took the camera home at the end of each day and reviewed the footage on his desktop computer, the report noted.
School officials, however, told police that Schroll never brought any reports of bullying or harassment to their attention.
The school district posted a video statement addressing the incident, saying administrators immediately "entered district protocols" and notified parents of students who were identified in the videos.
"We will be meeting will all students who had interactions with the individual (Schroll) in a teaching or coaching role and offer any support they need at this time, and we will continue to support these students moving forward," said Principal Nat Akiona. He added that counselors are available for any student who needs support.
Director of Schools Dr. Russell Dyer added that the district is and will continue to cooperate with the police investigation.
"Parents, we understand that you're upset. We are also upset, and we also understand that you're sad because we're sad as well," said Dyer. "We understand your concerns related to the situation. We share these concerns."
Schroll remains in custody without bond.
Related
Related
