Student takes cell phone to a new, lower level
by Kathleen Stinson

CCUSD – A far cry from the world of  “Ozzie and Harriett,” the Cave Creek Unified School District recently dealt with another incident of student sexual misconduct.

This time, a 12‑year‑old female student at Sonoran Trails Middle School is under investigation by police for allegedly taking a sexually explicit photo of herself and text‑messaging it to fellow students.

According to Phoenix Police Sgt. Joel Tranter, the incident took place March 1 after school let out for the day at 4 p.m. The student reportedly removed a camera (cell) phone from the locker of another student, took a photo of herself nude from the waist down, attached a text message containing a vulgar statement and e‑mailed it to six addresses contained within the cell phone, mostly students. The young girl then returned the phone to the locker and left the school.

That evening, students and/or their parents who received the photo and message called the parents of the student who owned the cell phone, asking “what was going on,” the sergeant said. The next day, parents notified school officials, who in turn notified the Phoenix Police Department.

Later that Friday afternoon, Sonoran Trails Principal Dr. Skot Beazley sent out a recorded phone message to all school staff and parents, as stated in a district press release. The principal’s message told anyone receiving the “inappropriate” text message via their cell phone to delete the material and report it to the school office. The school later instructed students not to forward, download, share or print the student’s message.

“Disruptions to the learning environment are not tolerated under any circumstances,” the release states.

The district took immediate disciplinary action against the student, according to Sgt. Tranter.

Although police filed a report with the county attorney’s office recommending the student be charged with furnishing harmful material to a minor, it is unlikely the girl will be charged, given her age, Tranter said.

The lewd photo comes on the heels of other district incidents involving “inappropriate” student sexual behavior at Desert Arroyo Middle School. On March 6,  the county attorney’s office  announced it filed charges of sexual misconduct against two Desert Arroyo male students.

The Desert Arroyo juveniles face possible sentences which could include intensive probation or commitment to a juvenile correctional facility, according to a county press release. The teacher in whose classroom the sexual misconduct allegedly took place is no longer employed by CCUSD, after being placed on paid leave while the district investigated the incidents. The district will furnish no further information.