Updated: Two sexting investigations underway in Portage

12-9-2013 Michigan:

PORTAGE, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Portage Public Safety is investigating two separate cases of sexting at Portage Northern High School. Sexting is the sending of sexually explicit photographs or messages through a mobile phone or social media.

This dangerous trend is putting teenagers at risk of being charged with child pornography. Police tell Newschannel 3 in the last three months they've had three cases of sexting at the high school. Police say they find many parents are in denial that their teens would do something like this.

"People don't understand the seriousness of what's going on," said Officer Ron Clark with Portage Public Safety. Sexting is something Officer Clark tells us is spreading like wildfire in West Michigan high schools. "They're doing this at home, in their bathroom, in their bedroom, it's brought to school where it's brought to our attention," said Officer Clark.

Officer Clark says right now he is investigating two separate cases of sexting. In both incidents he says a boy and a girl in a relationship shared a nude photo with the promise of keeping it private, but that trust was broken. Now police say at least a half dozen male and female students are in danger of being charged with either possessing, distributing, or producing child pornography which carries a max penalty of 20 years in prison.

It's unfortunate for the people whose photographs are out there in cyberspace because they are always going to be out there, they are never coming back, and that's the biggest shock to them," said Officer Clark. Portage Police say they are currently working with Facebook, Twitter and wireless companies to track IP addresses, which are basically digital fingerprints that point back to the people involved in sexting.

Sarah Baker with Portage Public Schools tells us one of the cases started with students before the school year even began. "We look at these situations, whenever a student makes a mistake at school we use it as an opportunity to learn, and we are working with the child to make better decisions in the future, we are working with their family," said Sarah Baker the Community Relations Manager for Portage Public Schools.

Baker says if police decide to move forward with requesting charges, those same students may also face expulsion. Monday Portage Public Schools sent a flyer home to 5,000 parents. It gives tips and guidelines to parents if they are planning on buying a smart phone for their teenager this Christmas. ..Source.. by NewsChannel3.com