Disturbing new charges have been filed against a former teacher at Loyola Academy, as the ex-educator faces charges of child pornography and sexual assault. NBC 5’s Chris Hush reports.
A former north suburban teacher faces disturbing allegations of child pornography.
The charges were filed against 32-year-old former Loyola Academy teacher Mathew Joseph Laird. A spokesperson at Loyola Academy says they have been contacting individuals who attended the academy when this teacher was employed.
Laird taught at Loyola Academy from 2011 to 2014, according to a school spokesperson. Glenview police said Tuesday he faces child pornography and criminal sexual assault charges.
Parents NBC 5 spoke with were shocked by the allegations but applauded the academy for being transparent.
“It’s a really scary thing," Loyola Academy parent Estella Mendoza said.
In a statement— the academy says “at this point- it is unknown to us whether or to what extent any former Loyola Student has been impacted, but we are continuing to cooperate fully with the Glenview Police Department in its ongoing investigation of this matter.”
Police say they believe several current and former female high school students could be victims.
Police arrested Laird at his Glenview apartment Tuesday where they traced his IP address after receiving information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that he allegedly uploaded pornographic images of a child on a website.
That was in September, when police say several electronic devices were seized.
Glenview police say they are still attempting to identify the female students.
Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at the Glenview Police Department.
