Tatachilla Lutheran College teacher Jethro Kleinig, 31, charged with possessing child exploitation material
A southern suburbs teacher has been revealed as the man arrested and charged after a disturbing child abuse material find on his phone.
A southern suburbs school teacher has been stood down after he was charged with allegedly possessing child exploitation material.
Members of SA JACET – a joint task force between SAPOL and the AFP – attended a southern suburbs address and arrested 31-year-old Jethro Kleinig on Sunday, August 10.
He was arrested for knowingly being in possession of a substantial amount of child exploitation material and seized mobile phones and other electronic devices.
On Monday, Tatachilla Lutheran College’s principal Alison Thacker confirmed that the charged man was a member of their teaching staff, but has since been stood down over the allegations.
“The staff member involved has been stood down and is not permitted to attend our campus, or any associated campus where children attend school or co-curricular activities,” Ms Thacker said.
“The college takes allegations of this nature extremely seriously. In accordance with our procedures and duty of care, we are providing South Australia police with our full assistance.”
“Our students are always our number one priority, and we continue to focus on providing the learning and support programs they require to reach their full potential, in accordance with our Lutheran values.”
According to police, digital evidence specialists conducted preliminary forensic analysis locating the child exploitation material.
Mr Kleinig appeared before the Christies Beach Magistrate Court on Monday where he was refused bail.
Special Crimes Investigation Section officer in charge detective chief inspector George Fenwick said child exploitation material was more than just images on a screen.
“Every image, every second of a video has a real child being abused and being subjected to a situation that no child should ever experience,” he said.
SA Police say more extensive reviews of the electronic data will occur in the fullness of time with the possibility of further offences being identified.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child exploitation material are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au on 1800 333 000.
