WXYZ newsman Stephen Clark doesn't hide his personal feelings about the jolting topic of his latest coverage.
"I'm not often surprised while reporting," Clark posts late Friday on his Facebook page. "Tonight I'm stunned. Two cases of sexting are under investigation at high schools in Romeo and Rochester. Nearly 40 total suspects, mostly girls, and all 16 and under!"
Jessica Cooper, prosecutor: "We do have to talk."
The newscast segment (below) shows Prosecutor Jessica Cooper of Oakland County addressing sixth-graders about the moral, personal and legal risks of snapping or sharing sexually explicit smart phone pictures. "I know you're going to be uncomfortable, but we do have to talk about some of the things that go on," she tells an assembly.
This comes after 24 girls and seven boys under the age of 16 at Rochester Adams High School and Van Hoosen Middle School are under investigation right now for sexting. . . .
In Romeo, at least six kids ages 14 or 15 were found to have nude pictures of a classmate or classmates on their phone.
Cooper feels state laws should distinguish between teen misbehavior and adult pedophiles, though Michigan students theoretically could be dealt with harshly. "Sexting isn't just a fun prank," Claerk notes. "It's actually a very serious crime."
Asking someone under the age of 18 to take an explicit photo of themselves, or taking an explicit photo of someone under 18 is a 20-year felony.
Then, forwarding a photo of someone under the age of 18 is a seven-year felony. Possessing it is a four-year felony. . . .
In both the Rochester and Romeo cases, all of the kids are 16 and under, so the cases will probably end up in juvenile court where the punishment is less severe.
-- Alan Stamm
Related coverage at Deadline Detroit:
Teen Students Under Criminal Investigation for Sexting Nude Selfies, Oct. 17
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