New charges filed against former Newton teacher

NEWTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- On Tuesday, the Suffolk County Grand Jury charged former Newton elementary school teacher, David Ettlinger, with sexually assaulting a second child, bringing the total number of his alleged victims to three.

These allegations come amid other allegations that the suspect took “inappropriate photos” of students on school grounds.

Ettlinger remained held on child pornography and sexual assault charges on Tuesday, but a police investigation uncovered a disturbing connection to some of his students at Underwood Elementary School in Newton.

“Honestly, it’s very hard to believe that something like that actually happened,” said Tanya Tolshansky, a parent.

The Middlesex District Attorney's office says that it appears Ettlinger took pictures of former students in the classroom at Underwood Elementary, outside the school and on the playground.

The district attorney says parents have been called in to identify their children in the photos.

“It’s incredibly disturbing. And we totally understand why parents are very, very upset. These were calculated pictures. Students and parents did not know that these pictures were taken,” said Dr. David Fleishman, Newton Public Schools Superintendent.

The district attorney says the pictures, allegedly taken by Ettlinger -- while troubling -- are not pornographic, and therefore not criminal. Authorities say the children are fully clothed, but that the photos were taken at “inappropriate angles.”

“Parents and students feel so violated. Parents send their kids to school. They don’t expect inappropriate pictures to be taken,” Dr. Fleishman said.

Parents said they find the allegations shocking.

“It seems a little creepy to me. It’s sad to know that that’s going on,” a parent said.

The superintendent said the school department is reaching out to the specific families involved and making counseling available to students at the Underwood Elementary School.

Ettlinger is being held on $50,000 cash bail.

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