Haddon Heights Teacher Charged With Child Porn Possession: Reports

HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ — A teacher at Haddon Heights High School is facing charges after authorities said they found child pornography on his phone during a search of his home Thursday, according to multiple reports.

Joseph Dalessandro, 37, of Washington Township, was arrested Thursday and charged with possessing and distributing child pornography, 6ABC reported.

According to court documents obtained by 6ABC, Dalessandro was arrested after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip and notified local authorities. Reports said Dalessandro distributed child porn using the Kik messaging app and authorities traced the uploads to an IP address belonging to Dalessandro.

Dalessandro is employed as a teacher at Haddon Heights Junior/Senior High School in Camden County, the district confirmed to NJ Advance Media.

In a letter sent to families Thursday obtained by NJ.com, Haddon Heights School District officials confirmed a staff member had been arrested.

The letter, which did not identify Dalessandro by name, said the teacher was placed on a leave of absence, NJ.com reported.

"At this time, we are not able to share additional information but can assure you that we are treating this matter with the utmost importance and cooperating with law enforcement," Superintendent Carla E. Bittner wrote.

Dalessandro is currently being held at the Salem County Correctional Facility awaiting a detention hearing, reports said.