Fullerton Police Warn 'Sexting' On The Rise Among Students

FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — Police in Fullerton are warning parents about a rash of "sexting" among local students, in which they exchange lewd photos on their cell phones.

Over the past month, Fullerton police have found the lewd photos on the phones of three boys, including a junior high school student who was allegedly molested by eighth-grade teacher Melissa Lindgren, according to Fullerton police Sgt. Jeff Stuart.

Lindgren, 28, of La Mirada, was booked last month on suspicion of molesting at least one student. She was released after posting $10,000 bail and has not been charged.

In another incident, school officials alerted police after a girl sent nude photos of herself to a boy, Stuart said.

Stuart told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO young children may not realize the serious privacy violation that sexting can pose.

"The reality is, it's never private," he said. "Once you put something out there, it's there for other individuals."

Sending a nude photo of a minor could lead to criminal charges, according to Stuart, who advises parents to obtain software that allows them to monitor their child's cellphone and Internet activity.

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