Teen To Face Charges In Peters Twp. Sexting Case

PETERS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A teen in Washington County will soon face charges in an alleged sexting incident.

The case of nude photos of female students being sent from one cell phone to another by other students at Peters Township Middle School is still under investigation. But a 13-year-old boy will soon be charged by police.

"You get parents to understand that this is no longer a game, the law is very strict on this," said Chief Harry Fruecht, of Peters Township Police.

Because the investigation is still underway, police say more people could face charges.

"If the photograph was taken by the individual, male or female, between the ages of 12 and under 18, she is as much a guilty party as the person that received it," said Chief Fruecht. "She is not a victim in this case, or he is not be a victim."

Parents have been speaking out about the case since Peters Township Police got involved back in January.

That's when a student at the middle school told administrators he had seen nude photos of female students on another student's cell phone, pictures that were allegedly sent by the girls.

Laura Zerbos has children in the Peters Township School District. She says she takes precautions in her household.

"You turn your phone in at night at a certain time," she says. "It doesn't go up to your room at night, it stays in the kitchen. We monitor, we have the passwords."

The Peters Township School District released this statement:

"This district has taken all appropriate disciplinary actions in this matter and it has been turned over to the Peters Township Police. We encourage all parents to talk openly with their children about the potential dangers of social media and the consequences of inappropriate uses of technology."

The 13-year-old has not been charged yet because the case is still under investigation. Until it is complete, the police chief says he has no further comment.

KDKA's Brenda Waters talked to a woman outside the Peters Township Police Station on Tuesday who said she is the mother of the boy who will eventually be charged.

She tells KDKA her son has been punished and his cell phone has been taken away. She says her son still attends the middle school, but is bullied every day.

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