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A man who worked as an elementary school teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District has been arrested on child pornography charges.46-year-old Douglas Randolph Collins of Valencia was arrested today at the Van Nuys Educational Service Center, according to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
The LAUSD confirmed Collins began his career with the district in 1997, and had worked since then at Fernangeles Elementary School as a fifth grade teacher.
Collins was removed from the classroom in October 2012 when the possession of child pornography charges were first brought up, says the LAUSD in a press release. No students were victims according to the investigation, adds the district.
However, as per procedure, parents were notified of Collins' arrest by phone call and letter, and the LAUSD is making crisis counselors available at the Fernangeles campus in Sun Valley to help any students cope with the arrest.
"It is alleged that Collins, possessed numerous DVDs of child pornography which he ordered online and received through the mail," notes the SCV Signal.
In response to Collins' arrest, Superintendent John Deasy said:
“Parents and guardians entrust their children to LAUSD, and we must take every precaution to ensure their safety at our schools. No teacher or employee interested in child pornography belongs in the District. No teacher or employee who abuses any students will be tolerated.”
