Nude photo scandal rocks another Southern California school
LOS ANGELES – A 16-year-old sophomore at Calabasas High School says she was mortified when she learned a former friend allegedly spread images that she claims were manipulated to show her in nude, compromising and even pornographic positions.
She has since struggled, saying she didn’t want to leave her room, much less go to school, because she felt embarrassed and humiliated.
“To my understanding, she manipulated my face onto another image taken from Pornhub of a girl who could have a similar body type to mine,” the teen told KTLA’s Samantha Cortese.
Jacqueline Smith, the 16-year-old’s mother, said that the photos were sent via Snapchat and Airdrop and that they spread like wildfire.
The incident, according to Smith’s daughter, stems from a fight that she and the other student got into over a boy and a concert, and that’s when the other student allegedly chose to share the images as revenge.
“We have now moved on to the case being handed to the DA, so our court date is April 9th,” Smith said, adding that the case is about possession and distribution of child pornography.
The teen’s mother said she wants the school district to take action.
In a statement to KTLA, District Superintendent Dr. Dan Stepenosky said:
“We take our students’ safety very seriously and we’re in the middle of investigating claims from both students (and parents) against each other. We have also shared all of the information we have with Lost Hills Sheriff’s Office, but they don’t seem to be pressing any charges at this point and don’t believe any images were altered.”
“That information is inaccurate because it is no longer being handled by Lost Hills,” Smith said. “This is handled by L.A. County and the juvenile system, which is in Sylmar.”
This incident comes just weeks after more than a dozen middle school students in Beverly Hills were victimized by artificially generated nude photos that were shared among classmates.
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KTLA legal analyst Alison Triesel said this incident should serve as a warning about sending nude photos and is a good reminder to have this conversation with your kids.
“Although you may think this is your very best friend and that you take these photos either consensually or you’re horseplaying and you’re having a really good time and you think it’s funny, if that friendship goes and for whatever reason they post those pictures of you, it can have very long-lasting, harmful effects on your reputation and your high school experience, Triesel said. “So, I really want parents to have that discussion with their students. Please do not fall prey or be the victim or be the person that’s disseminating those photos because it really can have, not just severe legal consequences, but it can be damaging the rest of your life.”
KTLA cannot independently verify the charges because the case involves two minors.
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