Delaware
Middletown school leader charged with sharing child sex abuse material to messaging app
How child sex abuse is affecting Delaware kids, families
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Hannah Edelman, Delaware Online
A Middletown school administrator was arrested after state prosecutors say he uploaded child sexual abuse material online to a messaging app.
The Delaware Department of Justice announced 25 felony charges involving possession of child sexual abuse material against 43-year-old Justin Smith, the head of school at St. Anne’s Episcopal School since July of 2024. The Justice Department said Friday night that they have “no indication” at this time that Smith’s crimes are linked to his role at the school.
Still, they noted St. Anne’s − a self-described independent school serving grades preschool through eighth, according to its website − is “fully cooperating” with the investigation.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings called the evidence “shocking and abhorrent” in a written statement Friday, noting that Smith’s job put him in a position of trust with children.
Smith’s charges do not involve contacting a child, according to the DOJ, and there are no victims affiliated with the school or community at this time.
Because of Smith’s job, however, the state is asking the public to come forward with any information they may have in this case. Anyone with information can contact the Delaware Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at (302) 739-2030.
What prompted the investigation of Justin Smith?
Investigators from the state Department of Justice and Delaware State Police, as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, received multiple CyberTips from Kik Messenger warnings, according to the Justice Department. The warnings indicated that social media accounts belonging to Smith had uploaded child sexual abuse material from an IP address belonging to Smith.
The tips prompted investigators to execute search warrants on the social media accounts, the state said, which found more child sexual abuse material.
Smith was arraigned and taken to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $625,000 cash bail.