Substitute food service employee faces two felony charges after online investigation
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY – A 69-year-old employee who worked at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School was arrested after investigators accused him of sharing and possessing child sexual abuse material online, though officials said the alleged crimes did not occur on school grounds.
Francis John Teeling of Shrub Oak was arrested Aug. 11 following an investigation by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office High Technology Crime Squad.
Teeling worked for the Lakeland Central School District as an itinerant substitute food service employee, according to Superintendent Karen Gagliardi.
Investigation started with national referral
The investigation began following a referral from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators allege that on two occasions between April and August, Teeling shared a digital file depicting a girl estimated to be between 7 and 10 years old engaged in sexual conduct to Microsoft Bing.
He is also accused of possessing a digital file depicting a girl estimated to be between 5 and 8 years old engaged in sexual conduct.
Authorities said the alleged offenses did not occur at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School.
School district responds to arrest
The Lakeland school district learned about the allegations Aug. 12, according to Gagliardi.
The superintendent said Teeling worked solely as an itinerant substitute food service employee and that the district was cooperating with law enforcement.
The district said it would take appropriate measures concerning the safety and well-being of the school community but was legally limited in what additional information it could release.
Two felony charges filed
Teeling was charged with promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child and possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child. Both charges are felonies.
He was arraigned Aug. 11 before Judge Gary Raniolo in Yorktown Justice Court and pleaded not guilty.
Bail was set at $10,000 cash, $25,000 bond or a $50,000 partially secured bond.
Teeling is scheduled to return to court Sept. 22.
The case is being prosecuted by Michael Delohery, chief of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Cyber Crimes Bureau.
The charges are accusations, and Teeling is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Key Points
- Francis John Teeling, 69, a substitute food service employee at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School, faces two felony charges involving child sexual abuse material.
- Authorities said the alleged offenses occurred online and did not take place on school grounds.
- Teeling pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to Yorktown Justice Court on Sept. 22.
