High school yearbooks are supposed to capture the cherished memories and good times created and experienced during high school. The yearbook of one high school may have captured much more, child pornography. A picture in the high school yearbook allegedly portrays child pornography and the students of the high school had to return their yearbooks or face sex crime charges.
Under federal law child pornography is defined as “the visual depiction of a person under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.” Law enforcement officials who were informed of the yearbook picture say the photo is of a school dance where a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy look like they are engaged in a sexual act that may involve penetration.
In response, the school recalled the yearbooks and offered to reimburse students who returned their yearbook. The school issued a statement saying the administration is conducting an investigation and will take appropriate action if required.
One student who attends the high school said whoever found the image must have been looking extremely hard. The student and his father did not appreciate the way the school initially handled the incident. According to the student, the school threatened felony charges if students did not return their yearbooks.
A spokesperson for local law enforcement said the students in the photo were probably not aware the photo was being taken. The photo was discovered after the yearbook was printed and law enforcement officials do not believe there was any intent to offend.
Source: ABC News, “Child porn found in school yearbook,” Christina Carson, 6/17/11
