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A Lakeland School District employee is accused of possessing of child sex abuse material, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said Wednesday.
Francis Teeling has been charged with promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child and possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child. The 69-year-old Shrub Oak man was arrested and arraigned Tuesday.
Officials say that on two occasions between April and August, Teeling, an employee of Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School, allegedly shared a digital file of a girl between ages 7 and 10 who was engaged in sexual conduct to Microsoft Bing.
Teeling is also accused of having a digital file of another female, between 5 and-8-years old, engaged in sexual conduct.
Teeling pleaded not guilty and is expected to be in court Sept. 22.
Superintendent Dr. Karen Gagliardi says Teeling was only employed as a substitute food service helper with the district.
"We take all appropriate steps to protect the safety and well-being of our school community...I want to reassure our students, families and staff that the safety and trust of our school community remain our highest priorities," she said in a statement.
The district says they are cooperating with police.