The Roosevelt Police Department is actively investigating a sexting case that involves a group of Union High School students. According to a Roosevelt City press release, the case was first brought to the attention of law enforcement officers in May and officers are now waiting for the evaluation of evidence from the state crime lab to be complete. No charges have been filed at this time and no further information can be released for now because this is an active investigation involving minors. More information will be made public, however, as it becomes available. Roosevelt City urges parents and guardians to speak to youth and teens about this growing issue. Sexting, even between two minors, is considered illegal under Utah’s child pornography laws and minors charged with sexting can receive misdemeanor charges. Resources for parents and guardians are available at
www.aap.org
. Teens involved in sexting sometimes feel threatened, pressured, or coerced into exchanging messages that make them uncomfortable, shares the press release. Often they feel they cannot talk to a parent or guardian. The SafeUT app was developed to help teenagers who are in crisis or struggling with a situation that has gotten out of control. It is available for free on any Apple or Android device providing confidential access to trained counselors at any time of the day or night.
