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Sudbury Police probe middle-school 'sexting'

E-mail|Link|Comments () March 11, 2010 02:22 PM

By John M. Guilfoil, Globe Staff

Sudbury police are investigating a case of alleged "sexting" between middle school students in that western suburb.

Officers began investigating at the Curtis Middle School on Monday and found that nude and partially nude photographs were being passed around among students using cellphones and the Internet, said Lieutenant Scott Nix.

No charges have been filed. Police said multiple students were involved but would not elaborate on whether students were in the photos or on how many students received and/or sent the photos.

Police hope they can use the moment to educate the children.

"In addition to the potential criminal aspect of such behavior, we feel it more important to educate our youth as to the numerous other possible ramifications of this behavior that compromise the safety of our children," police said in a statement. "Technological advances have surpassed our preparedness in educating children as to the dangers and negative effects such activities may promote."

School officials sent a letter to parents this week.

"The police were informed and their investigation is focused but remains open," school officials said in their letter. "If any parent has information about such behavior or possible involvement of other students in this type of behavior, you are urged to call Sudbury Police."

The Middlesex district attorney's office is assisting in the investigation.

A play on the word "texting," which is short for cellphone text messaging, "sexting" is the capturing and sending of sexually explicit photos of videos via a cellphone. It has been a hot-button issue this year. In January, a Pennsylvania court heard the first criminal case involving sexting in an American court. Police and prosecutors are investigating the practice among youths as tantamount to child pornography.

Officials in Belmont last week investigated a similar case at the Chenery Middle School where students allegedly used their cellphones to circulate a nude photo of an adolescent girl.