PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former teacher at Girls’ High in North Philadelphia is accused of trying to solicit a sexual relationship and explicit photos from a 16-year-old student.
Percy Fields, 32, turned himself in to police on Tuesday. He is charged with unlawful contact with a minor, attempted sexual abuse of children, corruption of minors and related offenses.
Fields allegedly sent money via CashApp to a 16-year-old sophomore at Girls’ High so she could buy food at school. In exchange, prosecutors said he sent the girl messages trying to solicit sexual photos and favors.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said the incident happened sometime last year.
“The teacher was removed from the building immediately back in January,” said Monique Braxton, spokesperson for the Philadelphia School District, “and then he resigned effective March 1.”
Another student learned of the alleged inappropriate behavior and reported it to a counselor. The counselor then alerted the principal and police, Braxton said.
The District Attorney’s Office said it is seeking a high bail.
Braxton said mental health professionals have been brought in to help students.
“There are crisis emergency response counselors that are part of the district’s Office of Prevention and Intervention,” she added. “They’re there assisting the students as well as assisting the principal.”
Special Victims Unit detectives ask anyone with information about Fields or other instances of child sexual abuse to call them at 215-685-3264.