A former Waldorf, Maryland teacher’s aide and track coach was indicted on Friday on charges of child pornography production and second-degree assault following a six-month investigation.
Carlos Deangelo Bell, 30, is accused of sexually assaulting at least 10 students, some of which he recorded. Investigators say the alleged assaults occurred in school and at Bell’s home between February and March 2016.
Sherriff Troy Berry says one of the videos shows Bell having sex with a child inside a classroom. Some of the other evidence includes graphic images of Bell sexually assaulting students.
At least seven of the 10 victims in the recordings have been identified by police and range from sixth-graders to eighth-graders, according to NBC Washington.
Bell was hired as an instructional assistant at J.P. Ryon Elementary School in Fall 2014 before being transferred to Benjamin Stoddert Middle School in March 2015 where the alleged abuse occurred. He was also the head indoor track coach at LaPlata High School.
Bell informed investigators that he is HIV-positive, reports WTOP.
Two of the alleged victims have tested negative so far, but it can take up to six months for the disease to be detected.
The investigation was launched back in December after Bell sent an inappropriate text to a student who is not one of the alleged victims. The text message was seen by the student’s parents but a subsequent search of Bell’s work computer showed no signs of illegal activity.
However, the Sherriff’s office obtained a warrant to seize computers and phones from Bell’s home. A state crime lab found the child pornography images and videos, informing local officials last Tuesday.
“To our parents and our community who put their faith and trust in us to safeguard our children, I apologize on behalf of Charles County Public Schools. Student safety is job one, and clearly we have work to do to ensure that this will never happen again,” said Charles County Superintendent Kimberly A. Hill in a statement on Monday. “It is devastating to us that something like this could take place in a classroom, in a school building where adults are charged with taking care of children.”
Hill claims two routine background checks had been conducted on Bell and revealed no criminal history.
Police believe there could be more victims and urge families to talk with any of their children who may have had contact with Bell.
Bell is being held without bail pending a hearing on Monday.
