Alanis Pinion, Catholic Delaware teacher at St. Mary Magdalen Schoo sends explicit photos of self to 14 year old via Snapchat as authorities now fear the existence of additional victims.
A former Delaware Catholic teacher has been accused of sending sexually explicit photos of herself to a 14-year-old former student, according to police.
Alanis Pinion, a 24-year-old 8th-grade teacher at St. Mary Magdalen School in Wilmington, was arrested Thursday by the New Castle County Police.
Detectives discovered Pinion having frequently communicated with her students over Snapchat — and sending sexually explicit photos to one of them.
Additional victims feared
Police informed the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, which runs the school and fully cooperated with the investigation.
Upon her arrest, Pinion was charged with one felony count of sexual solicitation of a child under 18, one felony count of endangering the welfare of a child and one misdemeanor count of indecent exposure first-degree, Action News reported.
Pinion was arraigned and housed at the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution after failing to pay $46,000 cash bail.
A spokesperson for the Saint Mary Magdalen School told NBC Philadelphia Pinion was a part-time contractor and is no longer associated with the school.
Rev. James T. Kirk Jr., pastor of Saint Mary Magdalen Parish, also sent a letter to parents, staff and parishioners about the investigation.
‘The contractor had successfully completed the required background check process prior to her employment. The school, parish and our Diocese officials supported the police as they conducted their investigation,’ he wrote. ‘Please be assured that all of us at Saint Mary Magdalen Parish and School, along with our partners at the Diocese of Wilmington, always keep the safety of our children and youth as a primary goal.’
Not immediately understood is what led to the female educator abusing her position of trust, power and authority and subjugating her male victim.
While Pinion is in custody, investigators said there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information on the investigation should contact Detective Daniel Watson by calling 302-395-8030 or emailing [email protected].
