A 15-year-old freshman at Portage High School in Indiana was arrested last week over nude photos of two female classmates on his cell phone.
The incident has many parents feeling disappointed and frustrated that "sexting" is another issue they must tackle.
"I think it's shameful that kids are doing that," said mother Elsie Solis. "Kids now a days do way too much, way too soon."
The teen was taken out of class and sent to the Porter County Juvenile Detention Center after the mother of one of the girls called the school and police found the photos. The mother told administrators the boy threatened to post a photo of her 15-year-old daughter on MySpace if she didn't lend him a saxophone.
Police went to the school and found nude photos of two girls, one 14 years old, on the boy's phone.
He told police the girls sent him the photos and that he never threatened to post them. The 14-year-old girl acknowledged she sent the photos of herself to the boy and boys at other high schools.
The 15-year-old boy is being charged with possession of child pornography through the juvenile court system, police said. Police also said the girls could face juvenile probation, and the other boys who were sent photos could be charged as well.
Portage Township Schools Superintendent Michael Berta said the students will face suspension and possibly expulsion. He said the district hosted a special series of cyber and cellphone safety workshops earlier this year.
"There's guilt on both sides," said Berta. "Parents must be very attentive to the children that you have, and to their interaction with the evolving technology."
Police continue to investigate.
