Middle School Staffer Shared Images Of Sexual Abuse Small Children: DA

YORKTOWN, NY — A middle school employee has been connected to child sexual exploitation allegations, according to investigators in Westchester County.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that a Shrub Oak man has been arrested and charged with promoting and possessing child sexual abuse material online.

Francis John Teeling, 69, was arrested Tuesday by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and arraigned in Yorktown Town Court. He was charged in a felony complaint with promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child, and possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child.

"Those who possess or share child sexual abuse material should be under no illusion that their depraved conduct is hidden from law enforcement," Cacace said. "Through our strong partnerships with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the New York Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, my office is committed to exposing online predators and preventing further abuse and exploitation of children. With the school year about to begin, I urge parents to stay vigilant and monitor their children’s social media and internet activity. Make sure your children understand the dangers of sharing explicit images online, especially with people they do not know."

On two occasions between April and August, investigators say, Teeling, an employee of Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School in Yorktown Heights, shared a digital file of an approximately 7-to-10-year-old girl engaged in sexual conduct to Microsoft Bing, and was in possession of a digital file of an approximately 5-to-8-year-old girl engaged in sexual conduct.

Teeling pleaded not guilty and is currently being held on bail. He is due back in court on Sept. 22.

The District Attorney’s High Technology Crime Squad conducted the investigation following a referral from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Yorktown Police Department assisted with the arrest. The case is being prosecuted by Cyber Crimes Bureau Chief Michael Delohery.